Past Simple and Past Perfect – Statements – Exercise

Task No. 1296

Put the verbs in brackets into the gaps in the correct tense – Past Perfect or Past Simple.

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Past Perfect and Past Simple Contrasted

Welcome to your Past Simple or Past Perfect - Statements – Exercise

1
When John (to arrive) home we ( already/ to eat).
Clue
EAT happened before ARRIVE so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
2
When I  (to get) to the airport I discovered I (to forget) my passport.
Clue
FORGOTTEN happened before DISCOVERED so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
3
I (to open) my handbag to find that I  (to leave) my purse at home.
Clue
LEFT happened before OPENED so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
4
When we  (to get) to the station, the train (to go).
Clue
The train went happened before we got to the station so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
5
I (to know) my wife for six months when we  (to get) married.
Clue
Something that started in the past and continued up to another action or time in the past so use PAST PERFECT
6
Susan was very pleased to (to see) that John  (to clean) the kitchen.
Clue
CLEANED happened before SEE so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
7
When I (to open) the curtains the ground was white. It  (to snow) during the night.
Clue
SNOW happened before OPEN so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
8
When Susan (to get) home from her holiday, the flat was a mess. John  (to have) a party.
9
I  (to have) a cup of coffee after I (to tidy) the flat.
Clue
TIDY happened before HAD so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.
10
Sean  (to feel) ill last night because he  (to drink) too much cola at the party.
Clue
DRINK happened before FEEL so use PAST PERFECT as the verbs are not in chronological order.