The Past Perfect (Plus-Que-Parfait)
CONTENT
The Past Perfect Tense: the Basics
Rule 1: The past perfect tense (plus-que-parfait) expresses events and situations in the past that are not ongoing and have happened before another event or situation that is already in the past.
Native
Translation
Je voulais faire les courses mais le magasin était déjà fermé.
I wanted to go grocery shopping, but the store was already closed.
Rule 2: No matter what past tense the other part of the sentence is used in, the past perfect always expresses something further in the past.
Forming the Past Perfect
Rule 3: The past perfect tense is formed using the imparfait form of the auxiliary verb avoir or être and the past participle of the conjugated verb. Here's an example with the verb finir (to end, finish):
| j' | avais fini |
| tu | avais fini |
| il, elle, on | avait fini |
| nous | avions fini |
| vous | aviez fini |
| ils, elles | avaient fini |
Important Things to Remember When Forming the Past Perfect in French
There are several things you need to look out for when forming le plus-que-parfait:
Être or Avoir?
Rule 4: To choose the correct auxiliary verb when forming the past perfect, use the same rules as you would do for the .
Past Participle
Rule 5: Remember that for different verbs, different rules of creating the past participle would apply. Check them .
Agreement of the Past Participle
Rule 6: Remember that the past participle can agree or not agree with the subject of the sentence. To learn more about this rule, read .
Quiz
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Je suis allé chez elle mais elle _ déjà _.
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correct answers.