Form of the Past Perfect

How do we form the Past Perfect?

We form the Past Perfect with had and the past participle *.

We use the same form of the auxiliary had every time regardless the subject.

* past participle:

  • regular verbs → infinitive + -ed
  • irregular verbs → 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

1. Affirmative sentences in the Past Perfect – regular verbs

  • I had played with a ball.
  • You had played with a ball.
  • He had played with a ball.
  • She had played with a ball.
  • It had played with a ball.
  • We had played with a ball.
  • You had played with a ball.
  • They had played with a ball.

2. Affirmative sentences in the Past Perfect – irregular verbs

  • I had gone home.
  • You had gone home.
  • He had gone home.
  • She had gone home.
  • It had gone home.
  • We had gone home.
  • You had gone home.
  • They had gone home.

3. Negative sentences in the Past Perfect – regular verbs

  • I had not played with a ball.
  • You had not played with a ball.
  • He had not played with a ball.
  • She had not played with a ball.
  • It had not played with a ball.
  • We had not played with a ball.
  • You had not played with a ball.
  • They had not played with a ball.

4. Negative sentences in the Past Perfect – irregular verbs

  • I had not gone home.
  • You had not gone home.
  • He had not gone home.
  • She had not gone home.
  • It had not gone home.
  • We had not gone home.
  • You had not gone home.
  • They had not gone home.

5. Questions in the Past Perfect – regular verbs

  • Had I played with a ball?
  • Had you played with a ball?
  • Had he played with a ball?
  • Had she played with a ball?
  • Had it played with a ball?
  • Had we played with a ball?
  • Had you played with a ball?
  • Had they played with a ball?

6. Questions in the Past Perfect – irregular verbs

  • Had I gone home?
  • Had you gone home?
  • Had he gone home?
  • Had she gone home?
  • Had it gone home?
  • Had we gone home?
  • Had you gone home?
  • Had they gone home?

Short/contracted forms in the Past Perfect