Past Perfect Tense with 100 Examples

Past Perfect Tense

The Past Perfect Tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. It shows the sequence of events, making it clear which action happened first.

Structure:

• Affirmative: Subject + had + past participle
  • Example: She had finished her homework before dinner.
• Negative: Subject + had + not + past participle
  • Example: They had not left when I arrived.
• Interrogative: Had + subject + past participle?
• Example: Had you seen the movie before?

The past perfect tense expresses actions completed before another action in the past. Formed with “had” + past participle, it's useful for showing sequence, cause-effect, and clarity in storytelling. These 100 examples help build confidence and fluency.

100 Examples of Past Perfect Tense

1. Affirmative Sentences (Describing actions completed before another past event):

1. I had finished my homework before the movie started.
2. She had left the party when I arrived.
3. They had already eaten by the time we got there.
4. He had called her before she went to work.
5. We had completed the project before the deadline.
6. She had read the book before the exam.
7. They had visited Paris before they moved to London.
8. He had cleaned the house before his parents came home.
9. I had never seen that movie until last night.
10. We had finished dinner when the guests arrived.
11. She had traveled to Europe before starting her new job.
12. He had studied for hours before the test began.
13. They had packed their bags before heading to the airport.
14. I had written a letter before I sent the email.
15. We had made the arrangements before they confirmed.
16. She had learned French before visiting Paris.
17. He had worked at the company for five years before he quit.
18. They had built the house before the storm hit.
19. I had forgotten my wallet at home before I reached the store.
20. We had bought tickets before the concert sold out.
21. She had studied the topic thoroughly before the presentation.
22. He had played football professionally before retiring.
23. They had planned their vacation before the pandemic started.
24. I had met him once before, but I didn’t recognize him.
25. We had already left when it started raining.
26. She had cooked dinner before we got home.
27. He had finished the report before the meeting started.
28. They had seen that movie before I recommended it.
29. I had slept for eight hours when the alarm went off.
30. We had cleaned the house before the guests arrived.
31. She had written the article before the deadline.
32. He had taken the exam before going on vacation.
33. They had traveled to Italy before exploring Greece.
34. I had never met her before that day.
35. We had sold our old car before buying a new one.
36. She had checked the weather forecast before the trip.
37. He had repaired the car before we left for the trip.
38. They had lived in the city for ten years before moving to the countryside.
39. I had seen the Eiffel Tower before visiting the Louvre.
40. We had finished the project before the boss asked for it.
41. She had visited that museum before the renovation.
42. He had practiced the piano for years before performing.
43. They had signed the contract before the offer expired.
44. I had studied abroad before starting my job.
45. We had walked the dog before it started raining.
46. She had danced professionally before becoming a teacher.
47. He had cooked breakfast before we woke up.
48. They had fixed the roof before the storm came.
49. I had sent the invitation before the event.
50. We had booked our hotel before we arrived in the city.

2. More Affirmative Sentences:

51. She had met him before the meeting.
52. He had worked late before catching the last train.
53. They had known each other before they got married.
54. I had eaten lunch before they called.
55. We had studied the map before the hike.
56. She had spoken to the manager before quitting.
57. He had written the report before the presentation.
58. They had won the match before the final whistle blew.
59. I had lost my keys before going to work.
60. We had planned the party before the date was changed.
61. She had taught English for years before moving abroad.
62. He had driven for hours before finding a gas station.
63. They had tried everything before giving up.
64. I had called her before I left the house.
65. We had built the tent before it started raining.
66. She had organized the files before the audit.
67. He had prepared for the test before going to bed.
68. They had painted the house before the guests arrived.
69. I had finished the book before watching the movie.
70. We had discussed the plan before the meeting.
71. She had completed the project before the deadline.
72. He had explored the city before moving there.
73. They had washed the car before driving to the party.
74. I had cleaned my room before my friend came over.
75. We had eaten breakfast before leaving for work.
76. She had decorated the house before the party.
77. He had finished the assignment before the teacher asked.
78. They had visited the museum before it closed.
79. I had never tried sushi before I went to Japan.
80. We had enjoyed the show before the power went out.
81. She had traveled extensively before starting her business.
82. He had joined the company before the expansion.
83. They had baked the cake before the guests arrived.
84. I had made my decision before consulting with them.
85. We had driven to the lake before the sun set.
86. She had listened to the album before recommending it.
87. He had fixed the computer before the presentation.
88. They had chosen the venue before sending invitations.
89. I had looked everywhere before finding my phone.
90. We had checked into the hotel before the event started.
91. She had bought the dress before the sale ended.
92. He had finished his homework before going to bed.
93. They had tried the new restaurant before we did.
94. I had attended the meeting before receiving the email.
95. We had enjoyed our time at the beach before it got crowded.
96. She had booked the tickets before the prices went up.
97. He had changed jobs before moving to the city.
98. They had adopted a dog before buying a house.
99. I had eaten dinner before they arrived.
100. We had visited the zoo before the weather turned bad.

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Negative Sentences in Past Perfect Tense

Structure:

• Subject + had + not + past participle
  • Example: They had not finished the meal when the fire alarm went off.

10 Negative Sentence Examples:

1. I had not seen her before the meeting.
2. She had not visited London before the trip.
3. They had not finished the project before the deadline.
4. He had not eaten breakfast before going to work.
5. We had not heard the news until yesterday.
6. She had not met him before the party.
7. I had not been to that restaurant before last night.
8. They had not cleaned the house before the guests arrived.
9. He had not checked his email before the meeting.
10. We had not practiced enough before the competition.

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Interrogative Sentences in Past Perfect Tense

Structure:

• Had + subject + past participle?
  • Example: Had she finished her homework before dinner?

10 Interrogative Sentence Examples:

1. Had you finished the report before the meeting?
2. Had she visited Paris before the trip?
3. Had they eaten before going to the party?
4. Had he met her before the event?
5. Had you seen the movie before it was released on DVD?
6. Had we spoken to them before the decision was made?
7. Had she tried sushi before visiting Japan?
8. Had he arrived before the show started?
9. Had they called before leaving the office?
10. Had you finished packing before the taxi arrived?