past perfect

Use

We use Simple Past if we give past events in the order in which they occurred. However, when we look back from a certain time in the past to tell what had happened before, we use Past Perfect.


Example (past simple):
Jane got up at seven. She opened her birthday presents and then the whole family went to the zoo.



Example (past perfect):before/up to a certain time in the past

Before her sixth birthday, Jane had never been to the zoo.

Signal Words
Simple Past
* first
* then
Past Perfect Simple
* already
* up to then
* before that day
* after*

*Note: "After" is only used as a signal word for Past Perfect if it is followed by a subject + verb, meaning that one action had been completed before another action began (the new action is in Simple Past).

Example:
After the family had had breakfast, they went to the zoo.

However, if "after" is followed by object + subject + verb, the verb belongs to the new action and is therefore in Simple Past.

Example:
After her visit to the zoo, Jane was exhausted.

More exceptions with signal words
When

Depending on the situation, "when" can be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:

Example:
When Jane saw the elephants, she was amazed. (at the same time)
When Jane had seen the elephants, she wanted to see the giraffes. (second action happened after the first action had been completed)
When Jane went to see the elephants, she had already seen the lions. (second action had been completed when the first action took place)

Before

"Before" as well can either be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. If the action after "before" is a new action, use Simple Past. If the action after "before" started (and was not completed) before a certain time in the past, use Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:

Example:
Jane had read a lot about elephants before she went to the zoo.
Jane went to the zoo before she had finished reading her new book about elephants.