The Train Had Already Left
Use the past perfect to show which past event happened first.
Highlighted words show the past perfect.
Eli arrived at the station with a ticket in his hand—and an empty platform in front of him.
Eli reached the station at 9:12, but the train had already left. His alarm had not rung that morning because his phone battery had died during the night. By the time he woke up, he had lost nearly an hour.
He had packed his suitcase the night before, so he grabbed it and called a taxi. Unfortunately, road construction slowed the traffic. After he missed the train, Eli spoke to an employee and changed his ticket. He finally relaxed because he had solved the problem, even though his day had started badly.
UNDERSTAND THE TENSE
Why the Past Perfect?
Use the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions or situations.
Three examples from the story
- ✓
The train had left before Eli arrived.
- ✓
His phone battery had died.
- ✓
He had packed his suitcase the night before.
One quick challenge
Which happened first: Eli arrived, or the train left?