Chapter 9 - Grammar - The Past Perfect Tense

Question 1

What is the “Past Perfect Tense” and how do you form it?

Answer 1

The past perfect tense helps to express an action that occurred in the past prior to another past action. The past perfect occurs in sentences directly linked to the past.

Formation:
The past perfect often is contructed in a dual-fashion: first an imperfect/preterite verb followed by the past perfect.

- Tu sabi´a que habi´amos salido. 
You knew (imperfect) that we had left (past perfect). 

- Yo crei´ que se habi´a muerto! 
I thought (that) he had died!

Question 2

How is the past participle used as an adjective?

Answer 2

As an adjective, the past participle follows the noun it describes and agrees in number and gender.

- el restaurante preferido 
the preferred restaurant
- el telefono perdido 
the lost telephone 
- los huevos podridos 
the rotten eggs
- el enemigo conocido 
the known enemy
- la ventana cerrada
the closed window
- las puertas abiertas
the open doors

Question 3

How is the past participle used as an adjective with Estar?

Answer 3

When the past participle is used as an adjective w/ estar, it indicates that the idea expressed is the result of an action:

- El bano esta ocupado. 
The bathroom is occupied. 
- Estamos enojados. 
We are angry. 
- Estas vestido? 
Are you dressed?

Question 4

How is the past participle used with “ser” in order to create the passive voice?

Answer 4

When used with “ser,” the past participle expresses the action itself, rather than the result of an action. Its structure is usually ser+past participle+por.

Preterite:
- El libro Don Quixote fue escrito por Cervantes.
- La puerta fue abierta por el portero.
The door was opened by the doorman.
- Las casas fueron robadas por los ladrones.
The houses were robbed by the thieves.

Present/past perfect:
- La carta ha sido entregada por el cartero.
The letter has been delivered by the mailman.
- Los impuestos han sido preparados por los contadores.
The taxes have been prepared by the accountants.