What are the past perfect tense formula and examples?
The past perfect tense is a tense that shows an action that was completely done in past before a definite time.
check: Our present perfect tense notes
past perfect Affirmative sentence formula
Subject + had + helping verb + object.
Past Perfect negative sentence formula
Subject + had + not + helping verb + object.
past perfect interrogative sentence formula
Had + subject + helping verb + object?
Past Perfect Affirmative Sentence Formation
- First of all, translate the subject and put ‘had’ as a helping verb.
- Then use 3rd form of the verb.
- Lastly, translate the object and put a full stop (.) at the end.
Past perfect tense formula:
Subject | + | auxiliary verb
had |
+ | 3rd form of
verb |
+ | object |
I | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
It | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
You | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
She | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
Children | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
We | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
They | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
He | + | had | + | lost | + | the pen |
Past perfect tense examples:
- He had shut the door.
- He had watched the T.V.
- He had divorced his wife.
- They had repaired the table.
- They had lost the match.
- They had done his duty.
- They had helped him
- We had invited him.
Past Perfect Tense Formula and Examples | Image 1
Past Perfect negative Sentence Formation
- Translate the subject.
- Put helping verb with ‘not’ before the 3rd form of the verb.
past perfect tense formula
Subject | + | auxiliary verb
had + not |
+ | 3rd verb form | + | object |
I | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
It | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
You | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
She | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
Children | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
We | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
They | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
He | + | had not | + | lost | + | the pen |
Past perfect negative sentences
- He had not sprinkled the water.
- They had not disturbed the people.
- He had not controlled the fire.
- They had not written a letter.
Past Perfect Tense Sentence Structure | Image 2
Past Perfect Interrogative Sentence Formation
- Translate the subject.
- Then put the helping verb had before the subject at the start of a sentence.
- Use 3rd form of verb.
Past perfect tense formula
Auxiliary verb
had |
+ | Subject | + | 3rd form of verb | + | object |
Had | + | i | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | it | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | you | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | she | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | children | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | we | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | they | + | lost | + | the pen |
Had | + | he | + | lost | + | the pen |
past perfect interrogative sentences
- Had they milked the cow?
- Had they bought the cow?
- Had he dismissed him?
- Had they arrested him?
Past Perfect Tense Sentence Structure | Image 3
Download Past Perfect Tense Formula and Examples