Past Perfect vs Past Simple

Introduction

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1. They ______ (be) amazed. They _____ (hear,never) of this song.
Answer:

2. If only she (keep) quiet! (referring to the past)
Answer:

3. John _____ (be) upset because his application _____ (be, turn down).
Answer:

4. I ________ (never, eat) such a huge pizza before I ___________ (go) to Italy.
Answer:

5. By the time his heart _______ (be) transplanted, he ____________ (undergo) many medical procedures.
Answer:

6. After I __________ (do) the washing-up, I _______ (watch) my favorite TV program.
Answer:

7. The show _________ (already, start) when we ________ (arrive).
Answer:



Tags

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/04/2008 - 17:27.

There is a worng correct answer here. In third sentence there is John in the template but in correct answers is Mike :D.
Really thanks for this test, I was looking for something like this for some time. Thanks :D
Lerilaine

Mark's picture
Submitted by Mark on Wed, 03/12/2008 - 15:49.

It must have been annoying for anyone who has taken this test to have everything correct but the name:) Stupid error

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 14:42.

The name seems to be ok now, however I've found more serious fault: according to English grammar Past Perfect is not obligatory when using AFTER or BEFORE in a sentence describing 2 events in the past. AFTER (BEFORE) perfectly well indicates which event was first. In other words, use of Past Perfect in AFTER I HAD DONE THE WASHING-UP, I WATCHED MY FAVOURITE TV PROGRAM is optional, it may as well be replaced with Simple Past - DID. English is a very practical and logical language - we do not serve the language for the sake of grammar, grammar serves us for the sake of clarity of communication.

Clare,

Mark's picture
Submitted by Mark on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 18:35.

Well, I agree with you. To prove it, let me tell you that in an English grammar / vocabulary test that was held in my country, I wrote: "AFTER I DID THE WASHING-UP, I WATCHED MY FAVOURITE TV PROGRAM". Unfortunately, the person checking my paper found it incorrect and I didn't get points for this problem.

So, I believe what you suggested is completely correct but on some rare occasions it's better to think twice.

Cheers,
Mark

Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/12/2008 - 02:38.

Thanks for uploading the exercises

Submitted by Perfect_Pinay (not verified) on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 04:09.

I got a perfect score :) I guess you just have to follow the directions - past perfect or past simple - to get them correctly. It's as simple as that.

Mabuhay!!!

Submitted by Oleg (not verified) on Mon, 04/13/2009 - 00:53.

You right! I think this rule should be added into explanation regarding use of this two tenses.
Oleg