past perfect

noun

, Grammar.

1. pluperfect.

past perfect

adjective

1. denoting a tense of verbs used in relating past events where the action had already occurred at the time of the action of a main verb that is itself in a past tense. In English this is a compound tense formed with had plus the past participle

noun

1. 1. the past perfect tense
   2. a verb in this tense

Word History and Origins

Origin of past perfect¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Mueller actually said, “If we had had confidence” — an entirely correct and appropriate usage of the past perfect, an English tense hardly anyone uses in conversation and most people apparently cannot even hear.

From Salon

“I’ve only gone as far as the past perfect tense in my French book.”

From Literature

Soon we were flying past perfect rows of citrus trees, and that glorious scent was in the air.

From Literature

Has it reversed itself into the past perfect tense?

From The Guardian

Would we then have a present on our hands that was, at best, past perfect?

From New York Times