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past perfect

noun

, Grammar.


past perfect

adjective

  1. denoting a tense of verbs used in relating past events where the action had already occurred at the time of the action of a main verb that is itself in a past tense. In English this is a compound tense formed with had plus the past participle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

    1. the past perfect tense
    2. a verb in this tense
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of past perfect1

First recorded in 1885–90
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Compare Meanings

How does past perfect compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

She is just past-perfect as a chaperone and she said that she thought a party of four girls would be ideal.

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past participlepast progressive