The past perfect tense is used to describe events in the past that were completed before a particular point in the past.^[1]https://7esl.com/past-perfect-tense/

When to Use the Past Perfect Tense

A Finished Event Before Another Event in the Past

You can use the past perfect verb tense to describe a finished event in the past that happened before another event in the past.

For example:

• I had
  left before they arrived.
• They plane had
  taken off before we arrived at the gate.
• She had paid
  the bill for the meal before I had a chance to.

An Event in the Past Before a Specific Time in the Past

You can use the past perfect verb tense to talk about an even in the past that takes place before a specific time in the past.

For example:

• Susie had
  never been to Paris before this
  summer.
• They had
  eaten dinner before 7pm.
• We had never
  seen the movie before last night.

Cause and Effect

You can use the past perfect tense to describe cause and effect. In this case, you must use it with the past simple verb tense.

For example:

• I didn’t turn in my homework because the dog had eaten it.
• I was late to work because there had been an accident on the road.
• She did well on the test because she had studied all weekend for it.

Emphasize the Result of a Past Event

You can use the past perfect to put emphasis on past events.

For example:

• They had
  called us 5 times on the phone by the time we answered it.
• I had
  interviewed with the company 3 times before I got the job.
• She had
  taken the driving test 2 times before she passed the test.

Example Exercises

How did you do?

If some of these questions were tricky don’t worry — this is one of the topics that confuses English learners the most.

Sometimes reading alone isn’t enough. A private one on one lesson can clear up any confusion quickly and help you use this grammar naturally and confidently.