past tense and past perfect tense .mov

An English teacher shows some of the differences between the past tense and the past perfect tense.

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Education

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• English

[MrJaimefb]

I am sorry, but I didn't got it: "past perfect to indicate changes?"

But when I say I hadn't been to a party in a long time, what the changes in such a condition? Go to a party?

Jaime

[learnamericanenglish]

Hi Jaimie,

The change in the situation is that the person does something, and it's no longer true that it hasn't been a long time. Then it becomes a recent activity.

Tonight I'm going to a party. I haven't been to a party in a long time.

Tomorrow, after I go to the party, I'll say, "That party was fun. I hadn't been to a party in a long time." Understand? The situation is, in fact, different.

Also, say "I don't get it," or "I didn't get it."

Paul

[MasterThief1324]

In your last two examples of using the past participle to indicate a change in condition/situation, was it necessary to precede the sentence with a sentence written in the past tense?

[learnamericanenglish]

No, but it helps to make the case. The preceding sentence provides a context for the whole sentence.

[SuperRenata23]

Can we say -I haven't played golf in a long time??? What is the difference between: I hadn't played golf in a long time a " I haven't playes golf in a long time. Can we say both ways?? Please an explaint.

[TheDevilishUndead]

@ngoctrinhptvn I love u

imagine if a chicken said that

[XXDDDDDDDD]

3:44 to skip word forms

[yekhtiari]

Thank so much.Your answer to Jaimie made it more clear. Wish you the best

[2011Sendy]

Thanks! I understand. Now I'll do my English homework.

[2011Sendy]

Thanks! I understand. Now I'll do my English homework.

[kolab123]

@learnamericanenglish

Finally, I've got it ! :) I hadn't understood this in a long time . ;)

Thank you Paul :)

[valgonasc]

Hi Teacher... Good class... by the way, it makes any difference if i put the simple past as the first action or the second? For example: She had called her boss before she went home / She went home before she had called her boss

Thank you

[ngoctrinhptvn]

Thanks Teacher , wish the best things to your life forever ..

[MrJaimefb]

@learnamericanenglish

I 've appreciated your reply and explanations. Also I 'd like to congratulate you for your didactic and instructive skills. Although I am not a native speaker in english - I live in a non-english speaking country ( Brazil) -  I have a MD, and also a PhD in education; I know how challenging is teaching. You stand out from the crowd of english teachers on the internet. Keep going.

Jaime