Simple Past vs. Past Perfect: Key Differences Explained

Previously, we have contrasted the simple past with the past continuous and the simple past with the present perfect tense. Now, we will contrast the simple past with the past perfect.

A. Common mistakes made by English learners in using past tenses:

1. She wasn't new in this town. She has lived here before.
2. I told him that I have submitted the proposal the day before.
3. She realized that she left her umbrella on the bus.
4. The kids were excited to see the Komodo. They never saw the animal before.
5. Last night, she felt very tired because she has worked all day.

The above sentences show the most common mistakes made by English learners when they are using the past tenses. Can you change them into the correct form? Yes, they should have been in the past perfect instead of the simple past or the present perfect tense.

B. Differences between the Simple Past and the Past Perfect

1. In telling past events:

The Simple Past is used when we tell past events in the order in which they occured. The bridge was destroyed during the war. They repaired it two years ago. They got married in 2007. Their first son was born two years later.

The Past Perfect tense is used to refer to events that occurred earlier than a specific moment in the past. They repaired the bridge two years ago. It had been destroyed during the war. Their first son was born in 2009. They had been married for two years then.

2. In clauses with "when", "as soon as"

We use the Simple Past to indicate that one past event follows another very closely, possibly as a quick reaction. When the teacher came in, the classroom became quiet. I screamed out in pain when he stepped on my swollen foot.

The Past Perfect is used to emphasize that a past event was completed before another started. When the teacher had left, the classroom became noisy. As soon as she had packed her clothes, she left.

3. With "Till/Until + Past Perfect + Simple Past" combination

The action in the simple past happens earlier. She waited till I had finished teaching. I didn't understand until you had given me a clear explanation.

The Past Perfect tense highlights the completion of an action or event, that something had already been done by a specific moment in time. She waited till I had finished teaching. I didn't understand until you had given me a clear explanation.

4. With "Before + Past Perfect ..." combination

The action in the simple past happens earlier. The rain fell before we had arrived home. Before we had finished the exercise the bell rang.

Both events may use the past perfect. Before I had finished packing the bus had arrived. Before she had reached home it had started raining .

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5. Used with time clauses "when", "as soon as"

The Simple Past is used with time clauses "when", "as soon as" with verbs like "know, understand, realize, etc" She fainted when she knew the truth. When I realized that I had made a mistake, I apologized.

The Past Perfect can be used with verbs like "know, understand, realize, etc" only when the period of time is mentioned. When he had known her for about two years he proposed a marriage to her. When I had learned how to use English tenses I was able to write better.

6. In direct and indirect speech

The Simple Past is used in direct speeches to talk about past actions. She said, "I saw him in his office this morning." She told me, "I put my dictionary on your table."

In indirect speech, the Past Perfect replaces the simple past and the present perfect tense. She said that she had seen him in his office that morning. She told me that she had put her dictionary on my table.

7. In conditional sentence

The Simple Past is used in conditional sentence type 2. If we had more rain this year, we would have a better harvest. If you lived in Malang you would be used to cold air.

The Past Perfect is used in conditional sentence type 3. If we had had more rain last year, we would have had a better harvest. If you had lived in Malang you would have been used to cold air.

8. In unreal past with "wish"

The Simple Past expresses regret about a present situation. I wish I knew her mobile number. We can't inform her now. I hate this traffic jam. I wish we lived in a small town.

The Past Perfect expresses regret about a past situation. I wish I had known her mobile number. I couldn't pass the information to her. I was late for work due to the traffic jam. I wish I had taken the subway.

9. In past subjunctive after "as if" or "as though"

The Simple Past indicates unreality or doubt or improbability in the present. She talks about computer as if she knew a lot about it. Don't behave as if you didn't know about the rule.

The Past Perfect refers to a real or imaginary action in the past. She talks / talked about computer as though she had known a lot about it. They behaved as though they hadn't been informed about the rule.

C. Exercise: Contrasting the Simple Past vs. Past Perfect tense

Put the verbs in the simple past or the past perfect.

1. When the old man (return) home from his vacation he (find) that burglars (break) in during his absence. The front door (be) open and everything in the house (be) upside down.
2. He (be) sure that he (see) the girl before. He (keep) looking at her, wondering where they (meet).
3. He (return) the book, (thank) me for lending it to him and (say) that he (enjoy) it very much.
4. We (be) lucky. It (stop) raining when the class (be) over.
5. When we (get) married in 2006 we (know) each other for more than five years.

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