Past Perfect Tense VS Simple Past Tense Exercise

reviously, we have learnt about contrasting The Past Perfect to the Simple Past tense in Contrasting Past Tenses: The Simple Past VS The Past Perfect Tense. Now, let's practice how to use the Simple Past and the Past Perfect tense correctly.

For more resources on the Past Perfect tense, please read:

1. The difference between the Simple Past and the Past Perfect tense: Contrasting Past Tenses: The Simple Past VS The Past Perfect tense
2. English grammar exercise: Using the Past Perfect tense Exercise
3. Dialog and Explanation: Dialog Using the Past perfect tense to talk about Past Events

Exercise A: The Past Perfect tense

Complete the sentences below with Past Perfect verbs based on the situations given in brackets.

1. (Rina was doing her assignment from six o'clock till half past seven last night.)
   Answer: By a quarter to eight, Rina (finish) her assignment.
2. (Jim washed his car from nine till eleven o'clock. Tika arrived at half past eleven.)
   Answer: When Tika arrived, Jim (wash) his car.
3. (He graduated from university in 2016. His father retired in 2017.)
   Answer: When his father retired in 2017, he (graduate) from the university.
4. (The movie began at seven o'clock. We arrived at the cinema at ten minutes past seven.)
   Answer: When we arrived at the cinema, the movie (already begin).
5. (Ika typed the letter at half past eight. She finished it in twenty minutes. The manager called at nine o'clock.)
   Answer: By the time the manager called, Ika (type) the letter.
6. (The teacher explained the lesson. Then we understood it.)
   Answer: We understood the lesson after the teacher (explain) it.
7. (The train stopped. Then he got off.)
   Answer: He got off after the train (stop).
8. (I'm speaking to Maya. She has not finished her work.)
   Answer: When I spoke to Maya, she (not finish) her work.
9. (They repaired our motorcycle. We were able to continue our trip.)
   Answer: We were able to continue our trip after they (repair) our motorcycle.
10. (The guests left. Then I mowed the lawn.)
    Answer: I mowed the lawn as soon as the guests (leave).

Exercise B: Past Perfect Tense VS Simple Past Tense

In this exercise, you are to change the verbs in brackets into the Past Perfect or the Simple Past tense. Please keep in mind that when we want to refer to an earlier event or a more past time (past in the past), the Past Perfect should be used. However, when the events are told in chronological order, the Simple Past can be used.

Example: They (go) home after they (finish) their work.
Answer: They went home after they had finished their work.

1. She (just go) out when I (call) at her house.
   Answer: ....
2. I (tell) them that I (never be) to that place before.
   Answer: ....
3. My little brother (eat) all the pie before we (get) back.
   Answer: ....
4. We (ask) them what countries they (visit).
   Answer: ....
5. The police (ask) the witness what (happen) to the victim the previous night.
   Answer: ....
6. His mother (worry) a lot about him before she (hear) that he was safe.
   Answer: ....
7. The house (be) much smaller than he (think) at first.
   Answer: ....
8. The archaeologist (say) that the glories of Tutankhamen (not at all be) exaggerated.
   Answer: ....
9. He (refuse) to admit that he (steal) his friends' mobile phone.
   Answer: ....
10. She (tell) her teacher that her mother (help) her with her homework.
    Answer: ....
11. As soon as we (receive) the confirmation, we (proceed) with our plans.
    Answer: ....
12. After the bridge (be) repaired, the road (be) reopened.
    Answer: ....
13. After she (graduate) from the university, she (move) back to her hometown.
    Answer: ....
14. After we (finish) our lunch, we (continue) our journey.
    Answer: ....
15. Before the teacher (come), we (finish) cleaning our classroom.
    Answer: ....

If you wish to do the exercise online and know your score, click the link below.