Plus-que-parfait — the past perfect

Plus-que-parfait — the past perfect means “Past perfect: an action before another past action”. The plus-que-parfait describes an action completed before another past action. Formation: avoir/être (imparfait) + participe passé

Past perfect: an action before another past action

B1

Formation

avoir/être (imparfait) + participe passé

Explanation

The plus-que-parfait describes an action completed before another past action. Form it with the auxiliary (avoir or être) in the imparfait plus the past participle: j'avais mangé, elle était partie. Agreement follows the same rules as the passé composé.

Examples

Elle avait mangé avant de sortir.
She had eaten before going out.
Ils étaient partis quand je suis arrivé.
They had left when I arrived.

FAQ

Plus-que-parfait — the past perfect — what does it mean and how is it used?

Past perfect: an action before another past action. The plus-que-parfait describes an action completed before another past action. Form it with the auxiliary (avoir or être) in the imparfait plus the past participle: j'avais mangé, elle était partie. Agreement follows the same rules as the passé composé.

Plus-que-parfait — the past perfect — how do you form it?

avoir/être (imparfait) + participe passé

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