Exercise 1: past perfect simple

(Practise your skills in using the past perfect simple)

Past perfect simple (pluperfect) – cloze test (difficulty: 2 of 5 – rather easy)

Fill the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets in the past perfect simple. Do not use any short or contracted forms, and note that some verbs are formed irregularly. If you are unsure, read the explanation and formation of the past perfect simple again, and use the list of English irregular verbs.

  • Example: “The shop ____________ before I arrived.” (close) → “The shop had closed before I arrived.”

You can check your results with the button below after you have finished. You may also use the hint button, but note that you will lose points for that.

  1. When we got to the theater, the show . (start)
  2. Last year I flew to Argentina. When I arrived at the airport, I realized that I my passport. (forget)
  3. The guests at the next table were angry when they got their dinner. They something completely different. (order)
  4. They wouldn’t have missed the train if they earlier. (leave)
  5. Luckily, Susan and Hanna their hiking trip before the bad weather started. (finish)
  6. When the Smiths got home from their holiday, they saw that someone into their house. (break)
  7. Lisa in Australia for some time before she moved to New Zealand. (live)
  8. I saw that girl last week already, and I was sure I her before. (see)
  9. Frank told us that he Iceland seven times. (visit)
  10. When you called me last night, I to bed already. (go)

Further exercises and explanations relating to the ‘Past perfect simple’

The following exercises and explanations refer to the English tense ‘Past perfect simple (pluperfect)’ and also help you: