When to use the past simple and past perfect in one sentence?
You need to use the past simple and past perfect to provide depth details about past actions. Generally, you need to use the past perfect tense to describe an action that was completed before another one. As for the simple past tense, it is used to describe an action that happened in the past.
*I explained each of these tenses in depth details here, so feel free to click on them if you have any questions.
How to combine the past simple and past perfect in one sentence?
Let’s have a look at the following examples to learn more about the past simple and past perfect structure:
Subject + had + past participle + before + subject + past simple
Or
Subject + past simple + after + subject + had + past participle
Example:Â
She had finished writing her report before she went to bed
Explanation:
The report was finished first and then the sleeping time.
Example:
We had left the party before they arrived
Explanation:
The leaving part happened first and then their arrival.
Example:
I went to bed after I had finished my work.
Explanation:
The sleeping part happened after completing the work, and that’s why we used (had finished) for the work.
How to form questions using the past simple and past perfect?
You can form the questions using (Wh-Questions) as shown below:
Wh-question word + did + subject + past simple + after + subject + had + past participle?
Wh-question word + had + subject + past participle + before + subject + past simple?
Or (yes/ No)
did + subject + past simple + after + subject + had + past participle?
had + subject + past participle + before + subject + past simple?
Let’s have a look at the following past tense and past perfect tense examples to learn more about forming past simple and past perfect questions:
Example:
Did he go to bed after he had finished his homework?
Explanation: yes/ no answers
Example:
What did she do after she had finished her assignment?
Explanation: detailed answer using both tenses (past perfect & past tense).
Example:
Had you left the party before they arrived?
Explanation: Yes/ no answers
Example:
What did the band do after they had learned the song?
Explanation: detailed answer using both tenses (past perfect & past tense).
How to form negative sentences using the past simple and past perfect?
You need to add (not) after did and (had). Let’s have a look at the following structures to understand the idea better:
Subject + did not (didn’t) + base form of the verb + after + subject + had not (hadn’t) + past participle
Or
Subject + had not (hadn’t) + past participle + before + subject + did not (didn’t) + base form of the verb
Example:
I did not go to bed after I had not finished my work
Explanation: I didn’t go to bed because I hadn’t finished my work.
Example:
She did not present the report after her group members had not completed it.
Explanation: She didn’t present because her group members had not finished.
*You can use the complete form (have not/ has not) or the contraction form (haven’t/ hasn’t), it depends on the person you speak with. Professionally and in formal settings, use the complete form. When speaking informally with family, friends, chatting, etc use the contraction form.
I hope you find this English grammar lesson useful, let me know if you have any questions related to the combination of past tense and past perfect tense or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained other English grammar topics here so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂
Have a great day & take care!