The past perfect simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
Form of Past Perfect Simple
Positive
Negative
Question
no differences I had spoken. I had not spoken. Had I spoken?
For irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
Example
after final e, only add d love – loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled admit – admitted
travel – travelled
final y after a consonant becomes i hurry – hurried
Use of Past Perfect
◾action taking place before a certain time in the past
(putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration)
Example: Before I came here, I had spoken to Jack.
◾Conditional Sentences Type III (condition that was not given in the past)
Example: If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.
Signal Words
◾already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day (with reference to the past, not the present)
◾If-Satz Typ III (If I had talked, …)