Which Tense
Tense that indicates an activity, event or action began and ended at a time in the past
Past Simple
My friend _______(move) to the UK 2 years ago.
moved (simple past)
My great grandfather _________(have) five sisters
had
I didn't recognize/hadn't recognize Sue, because she cut/had cut her hair.
didn't recognize ; had cut
We had already eaten when John (come)_________home
came
We use it to draw the attention to the fact that something took place and finished after something else in the past.
Simple Past
Oops ! I _________(break) a cup, now mom will get angry
He ________(live) in Barcelona for a year when he was a student
lived
arrived ; had already closed
Last year Juan (pass) _________all his exams.
We use it when we consider that an event, action that took place within a finished time.
Past Simple
Bill was very tired because he ______(dance) on stage for hours.
had danced
Oh no, I __________(lose) my wallet. I still couldn't find it !
have lost
David didn't play/hadn't played the match because he hurt/had hurt his leg.
didn't play; had hurt
I opened my handbag to find that I (forget) _______ my purse.
had forgotten.
We use it when we consider that an event, action that took place within an unfinished time
Present Perfect
The robber ________(leave) the bank when the policeman finally ________(arrive).
had left ; arrived
I ___________(not visit) Australia yet.
have not visited
had looked ; started
We got home to find that someone (break) __________into the house.
had broken
We use it to draw the attention to the fact that something took place and finished before something else in the past.
Past Perfect
I ________(not/think)of having a new house before I _______(see) that ad on TV
hadn't thought ; saw
My best friend and I _________ (know) each other for over 15 years.
have known
When he had finished/finished his dinner he sat down/had sat down to watch TV.
had finished; sat down.
I opened the fridge to find that someone (eat) all my chocolate
had eaten