Past perfect forms
Form past perfect simple and continuous accurately; Contrast completed results with earlier duration or activity; Use the simple with states and the past simple for the later event.
1. Which sentence emphasises an activity continuing over a period before the meeting?
Multiple Choice20sAThey had been negotiating for weeks before they agreed.✓BThey had negotiated three clauses before they agreed.CThey were negotiated for weeks before agreeing.DThey have been negotiating before they agreed.💡 Had been + -ing emphasises the duration of the earlier activity.
2. The past perfect simple is formed with had + past participle for every subject.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 Had does not change with the subject, and it is followed by a past participle.
3. Complete the continuous form with wait: We had been _____ for nearly an hour when the bus came.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwaiting💡 The past perfect continuous uses had been + verb-ing.
4. Which sentence focuses on an earlier completed result?
Multiple Choice20sAMira had completed the report before noon.✓BMira had been completing the report for three hours.CMira was completed the report before noon.DMira had complete the report before noon.💡 The simple form emphasises that the report was complete before the past deadline.
5. Match each meaning to the correct past perfect form.
Matching30sCompleted result→They had repaired the engine.Duration before a past moment→They had been repairing it for hours.Long-lasting state→We had known each other since school.Very recent earlier action→The train had just left.💡 The simple covers completion, states and just; the continuous highlights earlier activity or duration.
6. Complete with the past participle of leave: By the time security arrived, the visitors had already _____ the building.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedleft💡 Had left is the past perfect simple for an action completed before the later arrival.
7. Put the chunks in order to describe earlier duration.
Put in Order30s- 1.They
- 2.had been travelling
- 3.for six hours
- 4.when
- 5.the delay began.
💡 The continuous expresses the period leading up to the later past event.
8. Which form is normally used with the stative verb know?
Multiple Choice20sAWe had known the truth for months.✓BWe had been knowing the truth for months.CWe were known the truth for months.DWe had knowing the truth for months.💡 Stative know normally takes the past perfect simple.
9. 'She had been finished the task' is a correct past perfect continuous form.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 The continuous requires been + an -ing form, not a past participle.
10. Complete with the past participle of sit: The audience had just _____ down when the lights went out.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedsat💡 Just + had sat presents an action a very short time before the lights went out.
11. Which question correctly asks about the earlier event?
Multiple Choice20sAHad the lecture started by the time you arrived?✓BDid the lecture had started by the time you arrived?CHad the lecture start by the time you arrived?DHas the lecture started by the time you arrived yesterday?💡 A past perfect question uses Had + subject + past participle.
12. Match each clause to the most logical continuation.
Matching30sShe was exhausted because→she had been revising all night.The shelves were empty because→customers had bought every copy.We recognised each other because→we had met before.His clothes were covered in paint because→he had been decorating.💡 The causes distinguish prolonged activity from completed prior events.
13. Use the -ing form of work: They hadn't been _____ there very long when the manager promoted them.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedworking💡 Hadn't been working is the negative past perfect continuous and emphasises duration.
14. The past perfect continuous action may, but does not have to, continue right up to the later past moment.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 The reference explicitly allows either interpretation depending on context.
15. Which sentence correctly combines the earlier and later past actions?
Multiple Choice20sAThe bank had closed by the time we got there.✓BThe bank closed by the time we had got there later.CThe bank has closed by the time we got there.DThe bank had been close when we get there.💡 The earlier closure uses past perfect; the later arrival uses past simple.
16. Put the chunks in order to make a past perfect question.
Put in Order30s- 1.Had
- 2.they
- 3.worked together
- 4.before
- 5.that project?
💡 Question order is Had + subject + past participle phrase + complement.
17. Complete with the -ing form of rain: The roads were flooded because it had been _____ all night.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedraining💡 The continuous emphasises the ongoing earlier activity that caused the result.
18. Which sentence uses already correctly to emphasise earlier completion?
Multiple Choice20sAThe shop had already sold out when I phoned.✓BThe shop already had been selling out when I phoned.CThe shop had sold already out when I phoned.DThe shop has already sold out when I phoned yesterday.💡 Already normally sits between had and the past participle in this pattern.
19. The more recent action should also be in the past perfect whenever an earlier action uses it.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 The tense contrast establishes the order between two past events.
20. Before he changed careers, Omar had _____ a mechanic for twelve years.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedbeen💡 Be is stative here, so the past perfect simple had been is used.