1) Comment on the use of the Past Perfect Tense in the following sentences.
1. We learnt that they had been close friends for many years.
2. Hardly had I turned on the television, when I heard shocking news.
3. The policeman asked if there had been any witnesses.
4. By the time we got to the shopping centre it had closed.
5. We had discussed the news and were now thinking about it.
6. When I came back home, my family had already had dinner and were now watching the film.
7. It turned out that Dick was ill and he had been ill for a fortnight.
8. By next morning, the snow that had begun in the night had turned into a blizzard
so thick that the last class of the term was cancelled.
9. She complained that she was penniless as she had spent all her money.
10. Mike phoned Rosie, but she hadn't returned home yet.
2) Combine the following sentences using the Past Perfect Tense.
Use the conjunctions “when”, “after”, “before”, where necessary.
Model 1: She took some pictures of London. She showed us the pictures.
She showed us the pictures she had taken in London.
Model 2: Everybody went to bed. I came home.
When I came home, everybody had gone to bed.
1. They saw a play at the National Theatre. Then they discussed it.
2. We had a good rest. Our guests all left.
3. I had a bath. I went to bed.
4. The guests left. I started tidying up.
5. Ann prepared a beautiful meal for her guests. They all enjoyed it.
6. He left his passport behind. He couldn't find the passport.
7. The football match began. We reached the stadium.
8. The weather kept dry for a week. We came to the seaside.
9. The children did their homework. Their mother allowed them to watch TV
10. He failed the examination twice. He gave up hope of passing it.
3) Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets in the Past Perfect Tense.
1. The local cinema was no longer open. It (close) down.
2. The house was very quiet when I got home. The kids already (go) to bed.
3. She refused to admit that the accident (be) her fault.
4. Mr. Johnson was no longer alive. He (die).
5. Bill no longer had his car. He (sell) it.
6. After he (finish) his breakfast he sat down to write some letters.
7. The woman was a complete stranger to me. I (see) before.
8. Margaret was late for work. Her boss was very surprised. She (be/late) before.
9. I didn’t listen to that play on the radio because I (hear) it before.
10. It was the first mistake he (make) in that job.
11. The children (clean) everything up by the time their parents returned.
12. We were driving along the road when we saw a car which (break) down.
13. Jane played tennis yesterday, at least she tried to play tennis. She wasn't
very good at it because she (play) before.
14. It was Keith's first driving lesson. He was very nervous and didn't know
what to do. He ... (drive).
15. By the end of the year they finally (get) their pay-rise.