LPC: Le plus-que-parfait
Les plus-que-parfait
Introduction - Le plus-que-parfait corresponds to the past perfect (also sometimes called pluperfect) in English. It describes an event that took place in the past before another past action. We always use the plus-que-parfait when we are telling a story set in the past and then look further back at an action that took place earlier. Review the video below.
Explication
Le plus-que-parfait is a compound verb tense, which means it has two parts. The two parts for le plus-que-parfait are:
- auxiliary verb in the imperfect
- past participle of the verb
Which auxiliary verb you use, avoir or être, follows the same rules as le passé composé. Remember MR & MRS VANDERTRAMPP verbs to determine which verbs take être in le passé composé ? The same rules apply to le plus-que-parfait when determining which auxiliary verb to choose.
Plus-que-parfait = auxiliary in imperfect tense + past participle
In narration happening in the past, le plus-que-parfait is used to express an action which precedes another past action or moment. In other words, the action in le plus-que-parfait is prior to another past action or moment. In English, the past perfect is indicated by had + past participle. In affirmative sentences in French, it is often, but not always, accompanied by the adverb déjà (already).
Let's look at some examples:
| Le plus-que-parfait Examples | |
| En français | En anglais |
| J'avais mal à l'estomac parce que j'avais trop mangé. | I had an upset stomach because I had eaten too much. |
| Il m'avait téléphoné avant la fête. | He had called me before the party. |
| Elle était déjà partie quand Michel est arrivé. | She had already left when Michel arrived. |
Negation
In negative sentences, the past participle comes after the second part of the negation (pas).
- Je n'avais pas fini le dîner quand je suis parti.
À vous ?
Activity 1:
Activity 2: Complétez l'activité ci-dessous. Associez la phrase sur le type de verbe.