29. Past perfect tense

The PAST PERFECT tense described an action completed before some some special past moment we have in mind.

Ago always dates back from NOW. Before dates back from any point in the past or future, including NOW.

29.1 Supply a suitable past tense of the verb in brackets (elementary).

She told me his name after he (leave).
He (do) nothing before he saw me.
My friend enjoyed his food as soon as he (taste) it.
He thanked me for what I (do).
I (be) sorry that I had hurt him.
After they had gone, I (sit) down and (rest).
Did you post the letter after you (write) it?
As soon as you (go), I wanted to see you again.
They dressed after they (wash).
After I had heard the news, I (hurry) to see him.
She told me her name after I (ask) her twice.
Before we (go) very far, we found that we (lost).
After you (go), I went to sleep.
I read the book after I (finish) my work.
When we arrived, the dinner already (begun).
He died after he (be) ill a long time.
My friend (not see) me for many years when I met him last week.
He took the money after I (ask) him not to do so.
It rained yesterday after it (be) dry for many months.
Why didn't you go to the doctor after I (tell) you to.
He had already learnt English before he (leave) for England.
But before he arrived in England, he (forget) some.
In England he soon remembered all he (learn).
The sun had set before I (be) ready to go.
The river became deeper after it (rain) heavily.

29.3 Supply a suitable past tense (advanced).

He (discover) to his horror that he (eat) half a maggot with his last piece of apple.
A friend of mine (write) a detective story called Murder in the Brewery, although he (never visit) a brewery in his life.
The little girl (ask) what (happen) to her ice-cream.
He (can not) help thinking that he (see) that face somewhere before.
After he (be) take to see My Fair Lady he (tell) all his friends that he (never see) a better musical.
His mother (worry) a lot about him before she (hear) he was safe.
The politician (declare) that his party always (stand) for social security.
The house (be ) much smaller than he (think) at first.
The archaeologist (say) that the glories fo Tutankhamen (not be) at all exaggerated.
The valley (be flooded) the year before and so it (contain) plenty of green pasturage.
It (be) the madman who (do) the killing.
The wetness of the deck (tell) him that the dew (fall) in the night.
It (seem) at least twenty minutes since Smith (set) off for the village.
He (know) of only one tiger kept as a pet, and this animal, in seven or eight years, (never show) a trace of ill-temper.
Beau Nash already (banish) swords from the ballroom because their clash (frighten) the ladies.
She (do) her duty in that state of life to which it (please) God to call her.
He (refuse) to admit that he (steal) the peaches.
The little boy, who (glance) furtively at me more than once now (crouch) back against his mother.
He lives as happily in this cottage as if it (be) a royal palace.
He jumped up as if he (be stung).

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