Example of Conversation In English In Past Perfect

Two or more people are having a conversation in English in the past perfect when they speak in this language about events that already happened a while ago and ended to be replaced by other actions, ceasing to receive care either voluntarily or because circumstances stopped them. For example, to clarify the use of this tense, a type of sentence that is customarily said is quoted:

I had bought a stationary bike, but I never used it.

For its translation into Spanish:

I had bought a stationary bike, but never used it.

For this tense, known in English as Past Perfect, the following grammar rules are applied that characterize its affirmative, negative and question structures.

Conversation structure in English in the past perfect affirmative

If the conversation in English in the past perfect is affirmative, the form is used:

Subject (person's name or noun) + verb had + verb in participle + predicate or rest of the sentence

In English it is written:

Name or noun + verb had + verb in participle + rest of the sentence

For example:

They had locked the door, but in the end it opened.

Translation to Spanish:

They had closed the door, but in the end it opened.

Conversation structure in negative past perfect English

If the conversation in English in the past perfect is negative, the form is used:

Subject (person's name or noun) + verb had + denier not + verb in participle + predicate or rest of the sentence

In English it is written:

Name or noun + verb had + not + verb in participle + rest of the sentence

For example:

She had not trusted him, but her loyalty proved everything.

Translation to Spanish:

She hadn't trusted him, but his loyalty proved it all.

Conversation structure in English in past perfect in question

If the conversation in English in the past perfect is question, the form is used:

Verb had + Subject (name of person or noun) + verb in participle + predicate or rest of the sentence

In English it is written:

Verb had + Name or noun + verb in participle + rest of the question

For example:

Had Valery and Anna borrowed their surfboard?

Translation to Spanish:

Had Valery and Anna borrowed their boards to surf?

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Example of conversation in the past perfect in English 

Alex: Had you taken the keys before I got here?

Richie: I had left them on the table, right there.

Alex: Oh I hadn´t seen them, thanks!

Richie: Jack had put a cake into the fridge. Is it still there?

Alex: Yes. Had Shirley and Edgar brought the beef for the barbecue?

Richie: Sure, and I had already bought the sodas three days ago.

Alex: Great. I had thought that this plan would never be ready.

Richie: Neither I had!

Alex: By the way, hadn´t mom called yesterday?

Richie: Oh yes! she had just before I dialed your number.

Alex: Had Carole tried to contact me?

Richie: Oh no, I don't think so.

Translation to Spanish

Alex: Did you take the keys before I arrived?

Richie: I had left them on the table, right there.

Alex: Oh, I hadn't seen them, thank you!

Richie: Jack had put a cake in the fridge. Still there?

Alex: Yes. Shirley and Edgar had brought the meat for the barbecue?

Richie: Sure, and I had already bought the sodas three days ago.

Alex: Great. I had thought that this plan would never be ready.

Richie: Neither do I!

Alex: By the way, did mom call yesterday?

Richie: Oh yeah! She did it right before I dialed your number.

Alex: Carole had tried to contact me?

Richie: Oh no, I don't think so.

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• Past perfect in English
• Conversation in English