How to use The past perfect in Spanish
Learn how to use The past perfect, and what to use it for in Spanish.
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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).
Tú habías trabajado
Él/ella/usted había trabajado
Nosotros/as habíamos trabajado
Vosotros/as habíais trabajado
Ellos/ellas/ustedes habían trabajado
Habíamos salido mucho esa semana. salir, pret. pluscuamperfecto
We had gone out a lot that week.
Había 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 llegó al restaurante, su cita ya se había marchado. marcharse, pret. pluscuamperfecto
When he got to the restaurant, his date had already left.
Había 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 había 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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