1.7. Past Perfect

Exercise 61. Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the Past Perfect Tense.

1. More than a year had passed since I first met him.

2. Santa Claus had visited each house by the end of Christmas night.

3. We had hardly left home when it began to rain heavily.

4. She was upset because Andrew hadn’t telephoned.

5. When I got to the car park I realized that I had lost my keys.

6. She told me she had worked in France and Germany.

7. The clock had no sooner struck five than the first guests appeared.

8. After the guests had gone, Liz sank into an arm-chair and drew a long breath.

9. I went to buy a new pair of gloves because I had lost my old one.

10. He arrived late; he hadn’t realized the roads would be so icy.

Exercise 62. Make the following sentences interrogative and then negative.

1. By the end of the year he had learnt to use a computer.

2. When he had written and sent the letter he felt better.

3. It was 6 p.m. They had already returned home.

4. The typist had typed the article by five o'clock.

5. They had agreed upon the plan before I arrived.

6. It was my first time in an aeroplane and I was very nervous. I had never flown before.

7. George didn’t want to come to the cinema with us. He had already seen the film twice.

8. She had finished most of the work by the time her boss arrived.

Exercise 63. Ask questions to the following sentences beginning with the words in brackets.

1. The whole family had gone to bed when Tony returned. (Why?)

2. This man had been ill for weeks when the doctor came. (Who?)

3. When Pete came Mary had already cooked dinner. (What?)

4. I was at the party but I didn't talk to Tom. When I came he had just left. (Why?)

5. He told me that he had almost finished doing the project. (What?)

6. As I hadn't got an answer, I sent him another letter. (Why?)

7. By the end of that year he had almost recovered. (How?)

8. When I got home, I found that someone had broken into my flat and had stolen my fur coat. (Who?)

Exercise 64. Open the brackets paying attention to the use of the Past Perfect Tense.

1. He already (go) by the time I (come) to the party.

2. Mother (cook) dinner before he (come).

3. When I (reach) the front door, I realized that I (lose) the key.

4. The shop (close) by the time I (get) there.

5. The scientists (carry) out many experiments before they (achieve) satisfactory results.

6. When I (arrive), he (stay) in the same hotel where we first (meet).

7. By the end of the year he (finish) research.

8. He told me that he (not see) much of her since she (move) to another town.

9. When I (come), he already (come) and (sit) near the fireplace looking through a magazine.

10. She said that they (meet) in 1990 for the first time.

Exercise 65. Complete the following sentences, or add a sentence, using a verb in the Past Perfect Simple.

Example: When I arrived home, I was starving. I hadn’t had

anything to eat all the day.

1. Tom was furious with Alice because she …

2. James inherited a small fortune from his father, but a year later he didn't have a penny.

3. She was fined £200 because she …

4. When I saw him he was pale and shaking like a leaf.

5. He was two hours late for the wedding because …

6. I didn't know her name, but the face was familiar. I was sure …

7. I couldn't answer any of the exam questions, although …

8. James was very proud of his eighteen-year-old son, who …

Exercise 66. Use when or after to make one sentence for each situation.

Example: He tried on six pairs of shoes. Then he decided he liked the

first ones best.  After he had tried on six pairs of shoes

he decided he liked the first ones best.

1. I wrote to my boyfriend. Then I watched television for an hour or so.

2. Everybody had a chance to say what they thought. Then we look a vote.

3. She stopped trying to lose weight. She looked much healthier.

4. He bought presents for everyone in his family. Then he bought something for himself as well.

5. Mary did all the shopping. Then she went to the cafe in the square for a cup of coffee.

6. I washed and dried the last plate. Then Paul came in and offered to help.

7. Mark looked through all the drawers in his room. Then he started going through the cupboards downstairs.

8. He finished eating lunch. Then he took a short walk round the park.

Exercise 67. Use the best time expression to make one sentence for each situation.

Example: They went for a walk. They did their homework (after).

They went for a walk after they had done their

homework.

1. Alice didn't think about the time. She understood she was late. (until)

2. Larry got that job. He managed to buy a new car. (after)

3. They reached the mountain top. The sun set. (as soon as)

4. She worked as a flower-girl. She owned a flower-shop. (before)

5. The Browns left their house. They sold it. (when)

6. She tore up the note. He read it carefully. (as soon as)

7. I didn't understand him. He repeated his words twice. (until)

8. He left the room. I turned on the TV. (after)

9. She didn't talk to him. He finished revising for his exams. (until)

10. She looked at him. He disappeared in the darkness. (until)

Exercise 68. Use hardly … when or no sooner … than to supply the beginnings for the following sentences.

Example: ... when the guests came. a) Hardly had she finished

cooking when the guests came. b) She had hardly

finished cooking when the guests came.

1. … burglars broke into the house.

2. … the light went off.

3. … the batteries ran out.

4. … the washing machine broke down.

5. … the pipe started leaking.

6. … she split the coffee on the carpet.

7. … the door-handle came off.

8. … some strange noise began.

9. … it started to rain.

10. … he felt tired.

Exercise 69. Put in the Past Simple or Past Perfect

1. I (be) sorry that I (not be) nicer to him.

2. Nobody (come) lo the meeting because Angela (forget) to tell people about it.

3. I (see) her before somewhere – I (know).

4. Because he (not check) the oil for so long, the car (break) down.

5. She couldn't find the book that I (lend) her.

6. All the people we (invite) turned up, and some that we (not invite).

7. They (never find) where he (hide) the money.

8. It was a firm that I (never hear) of.

9. When she (come) in, we all knew where she (be).

10. The lesson (already start) when I (arrive).

Exercise 70. Put the verbs in the correct tense (Past Perfect Simple or Past Simple).

1. I (not recognize) my old teacher because we (not see) each other for fifteen years.

2. After they (finish) their work, they (go) for a drink.

3. When I (arrive) at her house, I found she (go) out.

4. My brother (eat) all the cake before we (get) home.

5. When Elizabeth I (die) in 1603, she (reign) for over forty years.

6. I (write) to the shop to ask why my books (not arrive) yet.

7. Henry (come) home from holiday to find that someone (break) into his house.

8. He (refuse) to admit that the accident (be) his fault.

Exercise 71. Use the best tense (Present Perfect, Past Simple, Past Perfect).

1. Well, you see, Officer, I (drive) down the dual carriageway, when this huge lorry (overtake) me.

2. I (travel) at 70 miles an hour, so I've no idea what speed the lorry (go).

3. I (never see) a lorry travelling so fast.

4. Two miles further down the road I (see) flames and smoke rising.

5. The idiot (crash) into the roundabout.

6. Obviously he (swerve) to avoid this boy on his bicycle.

7. you (speak) to the boy yet? I think he's all right.

8. When you (arrive), I (try) to free the lorry driver.

9. I could smell alcohol on his breath. I think he (drink).

10. He (break) one of his legs, but apart from that he's not too bad.'

Exercise 72. Choose the best time expression.

1. I still / yet / just hadn't done my homework when Mum came home.

2. Meg was lying in the sun before / while / as soon as the children were playing in the pool. ..

3. He continued his journey before / after / ago he had changed the tyre.

4. I was walking down the street when / as soon as / while a car stopped next to me.

5. She had been singing for years since / for / before she finally became a star.

6. I went on an excursion to the Lake District last week / since / just.

7. He hadn't eaten turkey since / ever / for the previous Christmas.

8. Our team had scored three goals by the time / until / while we got to the match.

9. They had been sailing for / since / while a month before they reached a port.

10. She took off her just / as soon as / already she entered the house.

Exercise 73. Translate into English

1. После того, как вечер закончился и гости разошлись, усталые хозяева приступили к уборке.

2. Когда Энтони и Кейт вошли в зал, там собралось уже человек двадцать.

3. Он едва успел начать свой рассказ, когда его прервал телефонный звонок.

4. К началу июня всё было готово к переезду. Новый дом был гораздо просторнее и удобнее того, в котором мы жили раньше. Мы закончили переезд к десятому июня и позвали гостей на новоселье.

5. Мэри не прошла и двух кварталов, когда он догнал её.

6. Джейн была не голодна, так как она только что позавтракала.

7. Этот режиссёр получил приз после того, как снял свой лучший фильм.

8. Я не знал, когда она ушла. Я не знал, почему она ушла.

9. До того как поселиться в нашем городе, он много путешествовал. Он побывал во многих городах и странах.

10. Едва передача закончилась, как телевизор вышел из строя.

11. Он думал… нет, он был уверен, что уже бывал здесь раньше.

12. К Рождеству мы устроились на новом месте и познакомились почти со всеми соседями.