I recently returned from Ireland, where I had been working in an office and studying English. Before that, I had spent two years travelling in Brazil.
I had eaten dinner by the time Marie arrived home.
I had been eating dinner when Marie arrived home.
- TALKING ABOUT THE PAST FROM A PAST PERSPECTIVE -
Lucas arrived home at 8pm. He was hungy but I had already eaten dinner
This morning he had gone shopping and when he realised that night I had eaten all the food, he was angry.
- We had paid the bill before receiving the notice.
- The students had looked for the information on the Internet before writing the paper.
- I had a bad experience.
- I had had an old car then I bought a new car.
Last year, I was talking to my friend about Faith no more.
I had seen them in concert the previous summer.
- now > at that time
- yesterday > the day before / the previous day
- today > that day
- tomorrow > the next day / the following day
- soon > soon after
- five minutes ago > five minutes before
- last summer > the previous summer / the summer before that
- next summer > the next summer / the summer after that
- before > before that
A: I first met you at Lou's wedding, I believe.
B: Actually, I think we had met once before that, but it was very briefly.
B: Actually, I think we had met once before that, but it was very briefly.