The past perfect tense:simple and continuous

Form

Function

The past perfect tense:simple

Form: the auxiliary verb had+ the past participle

(voltooid deelwoord) of the lexical verbI had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.

Dutch may use a form of ‘zijn’ Waren jullie al ooit eerder in Amerika geweest?

The past perfect tense:continuous

Form: the auxiliary verb had+ been + ing form of the lexical verb

We had been looking at the painting for ten minutes before we realized it was turned upside down.

Again, the past perfect continuous always takes the auxiliary verb had.

The past perfect tense:simple and continuous

Functions: (1) to express that something started in the past and was still going on at a later moment in the past.

the continuative past perfect simple / continuous tense (2) to express the result of something that happened in the past

the resultative past perfect tense (3) to express non-reality

the modal past perfect tense

Continuative past perfect tense

Function (1): to express that something started in the past and was still going on in the past

By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years. (and he was still there)When I last went to Moscow, they had been renovating St Basil’s Cathedral. (and they were still working on it)

Function (2):

The past perfect tense is used to express the result at a moment in the past of something that took place before that moment. (the result is more important than the time)The goalkeeper had injured his leg, and could not play.

GOOD NEWS!!!

Dutch also has the past tense in this case, so

NO PROBLEMS here.We waren misselijk, want we hadden veel te veel gesnoept.We felt (were) sick, for we had eaten too many sweets.

The past perfect to express result

The simple form of the resultative past perfect

By the time I got to the party, most people had gone home. When we went back to look for the fox, it had disappeared.

The continuous form of the resultative past perfect

When I got home, water had been leaking through the roof. (it was no longer leaking when I got there)

Though she tried to hide her face, I could see that Clara had been crying.

Is there any difference between these two sentences?

I had been working hard, so I felt I deserved a holiday.I had worked hard, and the report was now finished.

The past perfect tense: simple OR continuous?

Task 1: Complete the sentences with appropriate verb, using the same verb for each sentence in the pair. Use the PPC if possible; if not use PPS1.a) She took a bottle from the bag she……. since she left

home.

b) The avalanche ………them 500 meters down the mountain, but nobody was hurt.

2. a) When the plane was diverted, it………from London to Madrid.

b) He …………all the way from NY to see me.

3. a) Jen ………..for the same company since she qualified.

b) John ……..finally……..his way up from the shop floor to a management position.

Function (3):

The Modal past perfect tenseThe past perfect tense is used in subclauses to express a ‘non-reality’ in the past. The subject of the sentence often did not follow the speaker’s advice.

If you had listened to me, we wouldn’t have gone the wrong way. If Jack had been honest he would have returned the money. The sheep wouldn’t have escaped if the men had built a higher fence.

Dutch and English differences

Als je naar mij geluisterd had, zou je niet gegaan zijn. If you had listened to me, you wouldn’t have gone.

Not: If you would have listened… (Why not?)

Ik was gegaan als ik jou was. I would have gone if I were you.

Not: I had gone if I were you. (Why?)

TASK 2:Using the words in parentheses, complete the 10 gaps in the text below with the appropriate tenses.

1. I'm sorry I left without you last night, but I told you to meet me early because the show started at 8:00. I….. (1. try) to get tickets for that play for months, and I didn't want to miss it. By the time I finally left the coffee shop where we were supposed to meet, I …..(2. have) five cups of coffee and I ……(3. wait) for over an hour. I had to leave because I ……(4. arrange) to meet Kathy in front of the theater.

2. When I arrived at the theater, Kathy ……(5. pick, already) up the tickets and she was waiting for us near the entrance. She was really angry because she ……..(6. wait) for more than half an hour. She said she ……….(7. give, almost) up and she ..…..(8. go,nearly) into the theater without us.

3. Kathy told me you…… (9. be) late several times in the past and that she would not make plans with you again in the future. She mentioned that she…… (10. miss) the first ten minutes of several James Bond movies in the past because of your late arrivals. I think you owe her an apology. And in the future, I suggest you be on time!

Answers: c = continuative pp, r = resultative pp

1. had been trying (c)

2. had had (r)

3. had been waiting (c)

4. had arranged (r)

5. had already picked (r)

6. had been waiting (c)

7. had almost given (c)

8. had nearly gone (c)

9. had been (c)

10.had missed (c)

How long had he already been running when he dropped out of the race?

By the time the sun set, Lucky Luke had disappeared into the mountains…