the past perfect

noun

grammar
: the form of the verb that is used in referring to an action that was completed by a particular time in the past
The past perfect in English is formed by using had and the past participle of a verb, as in "She had visited there once before."

Dictionary Entries Near the past perfect

Cite this Entry

“The past perfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20past%20perfect. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!