The Past Perfect is used to express:
1.Action began before the definite moment in the past and continued a)up to it or b) into it.
-markers: by … o’clock, by Monday, by the end of the year, by that time
e.g. They had finished their work by the end of the month.
-later action in the past simple: + Step back in narration
e.g. When we got to the cinema, the film had already begun.
When I got home the house was very quiet. Everybody had gone to bed.
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COMPLEX SENTENCE
WHEN
Succession: When she came in, he stood up. (When he had read, he called her);
Simultaneity: I knew Bob. I had met him when he was a little boy.
Precedence: When he came back, his wife had disappeared.
I hadn’t gone(been) … when + PS (Не прошло (-ёл я) и, как)
AS SOON AS
Succession: As soon as we reached the top, we decided to rest a bit.
As soon as she had gone, … (to stress completion)
AFTER
Succession: After he had cleaned up, he went out.
Shortly after we returned, he went to the president.
TILL, UNTIL
Succession: He read the book until he was dead tired.
He waited till she had calmed down.
BEFORE He had heard the news before he went out.
It happened before you came.
До того, как …; прежде чем, …; перед тем, как … .
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Unaccomplished action Past Perfect:
In Main clause PP is negative in meaning.
e.g. The hadn’t gone 2 miles when they heard. не успели они … как…
He hadn’t been there for… before he figured that … .(не пробыл он там … как …)
In Sub. clause PP is positive in form but negative in meaning.
e.g. We reached the station before it had become dark
(ещё прежде чем, ещё до того как )
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2. He had scarcely entered, when he saw her. Scarcely had he entered, when ...
He had hardly sat down, when he saw her. Hardly had he sat down, when ...
He had nearly stepped in, when she heard … . Nearly had he stepped in, when …
He had no sooner arrived than he fell ill. No sooner had he arrived than he …
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3. Ann had risen and was peering over his shoulder.
I thought he hadn’t seen her since he returned.
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