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01. Past Perfect

A. Form

I/ you/ he/ she/ it/ we/ they + had + past participle (regular/ irregular)

Look at the story:

When Alex left for the office that morning, he wasn’t feeling very awake. He had been
tired the evening before, and he hadn’t slept very well. He had only travelled about a mile when
he realized he had forgotten his wallet. Had he left it in the office the day before, where had he
left it?
B. Present perfect and past perfect
We use the past perfect for an action before a past time.

Present Perfect (before now) Past perfect (before then)

My wallet isn’t here. I have left it behind. My wallet wasn’t here. I had left it behind.
The match is over. The Lions have won. The match was over. The Lions had won
Other examples could be:
It was six o’clock. All the shops had closed.
We got home at midnight. It had been a wonderful day.
By 1960, most of Britain’s old colonies had become independent.
C. Past simple and past perfect

Past simple Past perfect

We use this to talk about one action in the We use this with before, until.
past The ball hit the back of the net
before the goalkeeper had moved.
The chairman didn’t speak until he
had heard all the arguments.
When one action comes straight after
another, we use this for both actions.
When Jack saw the bomb, he
shouted a warning.

To say that one thing finished and then something else happened, we use: When + had done;
or After + did /had done
When Carol had taken the photos, she developed the film.
After Carol took/ had taken the photos, she developed the film.
Normally, we use the structure: Before + did, had done
(Before I learnt English, I had studied Chinese for 2 years).
After + had done, did
(After I had studied Chinese for 2 years, I learnt English).
Note: When we arrived, the others all left. (We arrived and then they left)
When we arrived, the others had all left. (They left before we arrived)

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D. Exercises
i. Put in the verbs in the present perfect or past perfect

0. It isn’t raining now. It has stopped (stop).

0. We had no car at that time. We had sold (sell) our old one.
1. The square looked awful. People _________________(leave) litter everywhere.
2. You can help that newspaper. I _________________(finish) with it.
3. There’s no more cheese. We _________________(eat) it all.
4. There was no sign of a taxi though I _________________(order) one half an hour before.
5. This bill isn’t right. They _________________(make) a mistake.
6. I spoke to her at lunchtime. Someone _________________(tell) her the news earlier.
7. I was really tired last night. I _________________(have) a hard day.
8. Do you want to see this programme? It _________________(start) just now.
9. It’ll get warmer in here. I _________________(turn) the heating on.
10. At last the committee were ready to announce their decision. They______________(make) up their
minds.

ii. Say what happened first

0. Ten people had eaten chicken. They all fell ill. First they ate chicken.
1. Two men delivered the sofa. I had already paid for it. _______________________________
2. When the headmaster came in, everyone stood up. _______________________________
3. We didn’t stop until we’d finished the work. _______________________________
4. The light came on when I pressed the switch. _______________________________

iii. Write the two sentences as one. Use when and the past perfect in either the first or the second
part of the sentence.

1. I gave the book to a friend. I read it.

I gave the book to a friend when I had read it.________________________________________
2. The pupils did the experiment. They wrote a report on it.
When the pupils had done the experiment, they wrote a report on it._______________________
3. Joe saved enough money. He bought a motorbike.
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Max put all the dishes away. He dried them.
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. Jane signed the letter. She typed it on her word processor.
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. We completed the forms. We handed them in.
_____________________________________________________________________________

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02. Past perfect continuous

A. Form

I/ you/ he/ she/ it/ we/ they + had been + Ving

Look at the story:

Mr. Denis died last Friday evening in Highfield Hospital at the age of 58. He suffered a heart attack
at his home three weeks ago after he had been cooking a meal for some guests. According to friends,
he had been working very hard at his telephone business, which had been losing money.

B. Use
We use this for an action over a period up to a past time.
I went to a dentist on Thursday. My tooth had been aching since Monday.
I found the calculator yesterday. I had been losing it for some time.
There were some dirty pans in the kitchen. Someone had been cooking a meal.
C. The past perfect continuous and other past tenses

We use the continuous for an action over a period, and the simple for a complete action.

Over a period (had been doing) Complete (had done)

I had been washing the car. My hands were I had washed the car. It looked clean.
wet.
Jane had been reading most of the afternoon. Jane had read five chapters by tea time.

We can NOT normally use the continuous for a state verbs. (review state verbs)
Difference in the past continuous (was doing) and the past present continuous (had been
doing):
When I phoned Janet, she was having a piano lesson.
(I phoned in the middle of the lesson.)
When I phoned Janet, she had been having a piano lesson.
(I phoned after the lesson.)
Difference in the present perfect continuous (have been doing) and the past perfect continuous
(had been doing):
Bill’s eyes are red. He has been crying.
Bill’s eyes were red. He had been crying.

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D. Exercises
i. Put in the past perfect continuous of the verbs

~ I had a terrible back-ache last week

~ Oh, dear. What had you been doing?
~ I ___________________(dig) the garden. It was on Sunday afternoon. I ___________________(not
do) it long when I felt a pain in my back. It was still aching the next day. When I finally got to see the
doctor. I ___________________(wait) over an hour. He was late. He ___________________(deal)
with an emergency. But he was able to help me. It’s much better now.

ii. Add a sentence with the past perfect continuous to explain how the accidents happened. Use
these words: play-with matches; clean-a window; walk-on the ice; play-on the railway line; walk-
in her sleep; use-a faulty electric drill

1. Some children started a house fire. They had been playing with matches.________________
2. A man fell off the ladder.______________________________________________________
3. A girl drowned in a lake.______________________________________________________
4. Two boys were killed by a train.________________________________________________
5. A woman fell down the stairs in the middle of the night._____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. A man died of an electric shock.________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
iii. Put in the correct form of the verbs (past perfect, past perfect continuous or past continuous?)

1. Steve could hear shouts from the flat next door. His neighbors were arguing.
2. Lucy went into the living room. It was empty but the television was still warm. Someone
___________________(watch) it.
3. I ___________________(play) tennis so I had a shower. I was annoyed because I
___________________(win) a single game.
4. The walkers finally arrived at their destination. They ___________________(walk) all day and
they need a rest. They ___________________(walk) thirty miles.
5. When I saw Ben last week he said he ___________________(stop) smoking. But when I saw him
two days later, he ___________________(smoke) a cigarette. He took the cigarette from his mouth
and looked rather ashamed.
6. Harry found a note from Graham in Celia’s coat. That’s how Harry found out they
___________________(have) an affair. In fact, they ___________________(see) each other for
months. Graham’s wife ___________________(know) about it all the time.

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03. Review of present and past tenses

A. I am doing or I do?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS PRESENT SIMLPE

We use the present continuous for something We use the present simple for repeated actions,
happening now, for when we are in the middle for things that happen again and again:
of something: I write home every week.
I am writing the letter. It snows here most winters.
It’s snowing, look. We usually get lunch for about one
We’re getting lunch now. She listens to the news every morning.
Sarah is listening to the news.

We use the present continuous for a temporary We normally use the present simple for
feeling (one that lasts for only a short period): thoughts and feelings and for states and
I am enjoying this holiday. permanent facts:
I believe in ghosts.
I like camping.
The company owns three factories.
Fours plus two makes six.
We use the present continuous for a temporary We use the present simple for a permanent
situation or routine: situation or routine:
I’m here for a week. I am staying at the I always stay at Waldorf Hotel when I
Waldorf Hotel. come here.
Mandy is going to work by bus while her She usually drives to work.
car is off the road.

B. I have done or I did?

PRESNET PERFECT PAST SIMPLE

The present perfect tells us about the past and The past simple tells us about the past:
the present: I cleaned the floor yesterday.
I have cleaned the floor. It’s clean now. They locked the door at ten o’clock last
They have locked the door. No one can get night.
in there.
We use the present perfect for a state which We use the past simple for a state in the past:
has gone up to the present: I had a bike once, but I sold it.
I have had this bike for ten years. I knew Gary at college.
I’ve known Gary for a long time. He’s a
good friend of mine.
We use the present perfect for actions in a We use the past simple for actions in the past:
period up to the present: I saw this film several times in 1990.
I have seen this film several times. We played this game a lot when we were
Have you played this game before: on holiday.

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C. I was doing or I did?

PAST CONTINUOUS PAST SIMPLE

We use the past continuous to say that we were We use the past simple for a compete action in
in the middle of something: the past or for a past state:
I was reading the paper at half past ten. I left the house at half past ten.
We were looking for the coffee bar when Kirsty knew the way.
we met Kirsty.

D. I have been doing

We use the present perfect continuous for an action over a period of time up to now:
I have been waiting here for ages.
I tired. I’ve been working.

E. I had been doing or I had done?

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS PAST PERFECT

We use the past perfect continuous for an We use the past perfect for something before a
action over a period up to a past time: past time:
I had been waiting three for ages when I had seen the film before, so I didn’t
they finally arrived. want to see it again.
I was tired. I’d been working. I had had the bike for ten years, so I sold
it.

F. Exercises

i. Complete the sentences. Put the verbs in present continuous (is doing), present simple (does), or
present perfect (has done).

1. We bought this picture is very useful. We’ve had it (we – have – it) for ages.
2. Colin’s car phone is very useful.________________________(he – use – it) all the time.
3. Joanna doesn’t know where her watch. ___________________________(she – lost – it)
4. We’re in the middle of decorating our kitchen. _______________________(we – get – our meals)
from a take-away restaurant this week.
5. Robert is on a skiing holiday. ________________(he – enjoy – it) very much he said on the phone.
6. This colour is absolutely awful. _____________________(I – hate – it).
7. I hope these figures are correct. _____________________(I – check – them) several times already.
8. Ed and Kay like Scrabble. _____________________(they – play – it) at the moment.
9. These flowers are dying. ______________________(you – not water – them) for ages.

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ii. Complete the conversations. Put the pronoun and the correct form of the verbs. Use the past
continuous (was doing), the past simple (did) or the present perfect continuous (have been doing).

1. You look tired ~ Well, _______________(work) all day.

2. Is Helen still here? ~ No. _______________(leave) about half an hour ago.
3. I haven’t finished this letter yet. ~ It must be a long letter. _______________(write) it since
lunchtime.
4. Someone’s living in that house now. ~ Yes, a young couple._______________(move) in last
month.
5. Did Harry drive you home? ~ Yes. _______________(stop) and gave me a lift while
_______________(wait) for a bus outside the cinema.

iii. Complete the conversation. Choose the correct form.

Hugo: Hello, Simon. I don’t see/ I haven’t seen you for ages.
Simon: Hello, Hugo. How are you?
Hugo: Fine, thanks. I just started/ I’ve just started a new job as a car salesman. I started/ I had
started on Monday.
Simon: How many cars did you sell/ have you sold?
Hugo: Well, none yet. Up to now I learn/ I’ve been learning about the job. I think/ I’m thinking
I’m going to like it.
Simon: You had/ You were having a sports car when you were at college. Do I remember/ Am I
remembering correctly?
Hugo: Yes, and I’ve still got it. I had/ I’ve had it for years. I love/ I’m loving sports cars.

iv. Complete the news report. Put each verb into the correct form.

An eight-year-old boy has disappeared (disappeared). Mark Davidson _______________(not

return) yesterday from the park near his home in Copley Road. The Davidsons _______________(live)
five minutes’ walk away from the park. Mark _______________(go) to the park at four o’clock and
_______________(play) football with his friends. After they _______________(play) for about an
hour, they _______________(sit) down for a rest. Mark _______________(leave) the park at quarter
past five. He _______________(be) alone. A man who _______________(walk) his dog
_______________(see) him going out through the gate. No one _______________(see) Mark since
then. Police _______________(question) local residents and so far they _______________(speak) to
about two hundred people. They _______________(want) to question a middle-aged man in the green
sweater who _______________(lie) on the grass near the park exit at five o’clock. At the moment
police and other helpers _______________(search) nearby fields and woods in the hope of finding the
missing boy.

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v. Complete the radio news report. Put in the correct form of the verbs.
“Hello. I _______________(speak) to you from Oxford, where the finals of the World Quiz
Championships will begin tomorrow. The favourite is Claude Jennings from Conrwall, the man who
_______________(know) everything. Twelve months ago no one _____________(hear) of Claude
Jennings although he _______________(take) part in quiz competitions for years. Now suddenly he is
a big star. So far this year he _______________(answer) every single question correctly. And he is
popular too. When he _______________(arrive) here two days ago, hundreds of fans
_______________(wait) to welcome him at the station. Since his arrival, Claude
_______________(read) encyclopedias in his hotel bedroom. He is clearly a man to watch. And now
back to the Radio Ten News Desk.”

Bài tập bổ sung về dạng của động từ và thời của động từ

Exercise 1
1. He would never miss _______________ (go) to such a good party.
2. He _______________ (step) down from the bench on which he _______________ (stand) and
walked out of the room.
3. He says he detests _______________ (read) science fiction.
4. The radio _______________ (play) since 7 a.m. I wish someone _______________ (turn) it off.
5. I couldn’t resist _______________ (laugh) at the way he _______________ (answer) my
questions.
6. He says he is considering _______________ (go) to Scotland this summer.
7. It’s high time that you _______________ (get) down to more serious work.
8. I don’t mind _______________ (wait). I would rather _______________ (be) too early than too
late.
9. He looked frightened as if he _______________ (see) a ghost.
10. It is no use _______________ (persuade) him. He will not listen to you.

Exercise 2
1. At this time next week they _______________ (sit) in the train on their way to Paris.
2. By 2020, this area _______________ (be) turned into an industrial centre.
3. The game_______________ (play) well by both teams last Sunday.
4. Don’t leave until you_______________ (talk) to the headmaster about the problem.
5. If we don’t hurry, the sun_______________ (rise) before we_______________ (reach) the top.
6. I came late to class. When I_______________ (enter) the teacher_______________ (finish) going
over the previous lesson and_______________ (write) something on the board.
7. They_______________ (have) English from nine to ten in this room. Don’t let anyone disturb them
then.
8. The plane in which the football team_______________ (travel) crashed soon after taking off.
9. I_______________ (make) cakes. That’s why my hands are all covered with flour.
10. He_______________ (work) as a cashier for 25 years. Then he_______________ (retire)
and_______________ (go) to live in the country.
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Exercise 3

1. Without further delay, Mark_______________ (dial) the number he_______________ (want) from
the beginning.
2. There was nobody around. John_______________ (stand) where the driver_______________
(leave) him.
3. He refused_______________ (join) us on the trip to the mountains.
4. Within a week, she_____________ (know) the fearful mistake she____________ (make).
5. How long shall I have to bear_______________ (listen) to it all?
6. I suggest_______________ (go) there on foot.
7. It is nearly autumn, soon the leaves_______________ (change) colour.
8. The children were frightened because the lights suddenly_______________ (go) out and
they_______________ (sit) in the dark.
9. It_______________ (rain) hard and we couldn’t do anything until it____________ (stop).
10. She_______________ (get) to her feet, _______________ (slip) to her coat and _______________
(go) to the door. When she_______________ (open) it, she _______________ (see) her mother.

Exercise 4

1. What tune_______________ (play) when we_______________ (come) in?

2. She told me that her family_______________ (live) in that town long time ago.
3. I _______________ (sit) down for a rest while the shoes_______________ (repair).
4. Can you imagine what I _______________ (come) across when I _____________(roll up) the
carpet?
5. We suggested_______________ (sleep) in hotels but the children were anxious_______________
(camp out).
6. Would you mind_______________ (keep) quiet for a moment? I’m trying_______________ (fill)
in a form.
7. It’s no use _______________ (ask) children_______________ (keep) quiet. They can’t help
_______________ (make) a noise.
8. On the way to work, I stopped_______________ (have) a cup of coffee at a roadside restaurant and
when I_______________ (come), it _______________ (stop) _______________ (rain).
9. That evening we_______________ (stay) up to talk about the town, where he_______________
(live) for some years.
10. I_______________ (be) in this town for 15 years. My family_______________ (move) here when
I_______________ (be) 10 years old.

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Exercise 5

1. I _______________ (not be) ready yet but I_______________ (be) in a couple minutes.
2. Unless you _______________ (work) hard, you _______________ (not get) anywhere in your
studies.
3. I _______________ (be) not able _______________ (join) them in the bicycle ride into the country
yesterday.
4. I_______________ (come) to see you tomorrow unless I_______________ (keep) late at the office.
5. Coming up to the desk, he_______________ (take) the key that_______________ (leave) there
and_______________ (start) up the stairs to his room. Inside he _______________ (find) that the
letters _______________ (be) not where he __________(leave) them. His room_______________
(break) in while he was out.
6. I _______________ (think) about you a lot lately and I _______________ (come) to the conclusion
that I _______________ (not be) able to live without you.
7. The man who_______________ (rescue) had been in the sea for ten hours.
8. It always rains when the windows_______________ (just clean).
9. I_______________ (not see) her since we_______________ (leave) school.
10. The car_______________ (be) ready for him by the time he_______________ (come) tomorrow.

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