Past Perfect TensePast Perfect Tense

Past Perfect definitionPast Perfect definitionAs a verb form, the most common use of As a verb form, the most common use of

the past participle is to form what are the past participle is to form what are known as the known as the perfect tensesperfect tenses (they are (they are called "perfect" because they refer to called "perfect" because they refer to actions that have been or will be actions that have been or will be completed). completed).

Past perfects are made by using Past perfects are made by using

the imperfect tense of haber +the imperfect tense of haber +

past participlepast participle

Present perfectPresent perfect

In English, the perfect tenses are those In English, the perfect tenses are those formed by using a form of the auxiliary formed by using a form of the auxiliary verb "to have" and following it with the verb "to have" and following it with the past participle; in Spanish, they're formed past participle; in Spanish, they're formed by using:by using:

haberhaber conjugated ("to have") + past conjugated ("to have") + past participle. participle.

Just like in present progressive is Just like in present progressive is estar + estar + present participle.present participle.

Present PerfectPresent Perfect

It may come as no surprise that the It may come as no surprise that the verb is verb is haberhaber, which is translated as , which is translated as the auxiliary verb "to have." As an the auxiliary verb "to have." As an auxiliary verb, auxiliary verb, haberhaber in Spanish and in Spanish and "to have" in English are used to form "to have" in English are used to form the perfect tenses. the perfect tenses.

Past Perfect - HaberPast Perfect - Haber

Haber = to have (as Haber = to have (as an auxiliary)an auxiliary)

Is not used alone. It Is not used alone. It is a helping verb.is a helping verb.

HabíaHabía HabíamosHabíamos

HabíasHabías HabíaisHabíais

HabíaHabía HabíanHabían

Making past perfectMaking past perfect

Make the Make the past perfectpast perfect by by

haber (conjugated)+ past haber (conjugated)+ past participle.participle.

I had seen.I had seen.

Yo había visto.Yo había visto.

You (s. fam.) had won.You (s. fam.) had won.

Tú habías ganado.Tú habías ganado.