Rules and usage
The plus-que-parfait, or pluperfect tense, describes an action that happened further in the past than another past action. It shows the order of events when both occurred in the past. While the passé composé tells what happened, the plus-que-parfait tells what had already happened before that point.
When to use the plus-que-parfait
Use the plus-que-parfait when describing an action that was completed before another past action began. It establishes a timeline in narratives and explanations. Example: J'avais fini mes devoirs quand ma mère est arrivée. Here, finishing homework happened before the mother's arrival. You also use it to explain why something happened: Elle était fatiguée parce qu'elle avait travaillé toute la journée.
✅ Positive sentence examples
| French | English |
|---|
| J'avais préparé le dîner avant qu'ils arrivent. | I had prepared dinner before they arrived. |
| Elle était allée à l'école avant midi. | She had gone to school before noon. |
⛔ Negative sentence examples
| French | English |
|---|
| Je n'avais pas mangé ce matin-là. | I had not eaten that morning. |
| Elle n'était pas venue à la réunion. | She had not come to the meeting. |
❓ Question sentence examples
| French | English |
|---|
| Aviez-vous terminé vos achats? | Had you finished your shopping? |
| Était-elle arrivée à l'heure? | Had she arrived on time? |