The past perfect
The past perfect follows the structure: imperfect of haber (to have) + past participle of the main verb (e.g. acabado/finished, tenido/had, salido/left).
TĂș habĂas trabajado
Ăl/ella/usted habĂa trabajado
Nosotros/as habĂamos trabajado
Vosotros/as habĂais trabajado
Ellos/ellas/ustedes habĂan trabajado
HabĂamos salido mucho esa semana. salir, pret. pluscuamperfecto
We had gone out a lot that week.
HabĂa bebido antes de conducir. beber, pret. pluscuamperfecto
He had drunk before driving.
It is mainly used to:
- Talk about a past action prior to another past action or time.
Cuando llegĂł al restaurante, su cita ya se habĂa marchado. marcharse, pret. pluscuamperfecto
When he got to the restaurant, his date had already left.
HabĂa dormido 10 horas aquella noche. dormir, pret. pluscuamperfecto
She had slept for 10 hours that night.
- Express something happening for the first time, usually with a negative.
Nunca habĂa visto un hotel tan bonito como este. ver, pret. pluscuamperfecto
I had never seen a hotel as lovely as this one.
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