How do we form the pluperfect for regular verbs?

The pluperfect refers to an action at a time earlier than a time in the past already referred to. For example: "j'avais mangé avant de partir".

So to form the pluperfect tense we use the imperfect form of the verb 'avoir', which means 'to have', and the past participle of the other verb. The imperfect forms of avoir are: j'avais, tu avais, il/elle/on avait, nous avions, vous aviez, ils/elles avaient. Then to one of these verbs we add the past participle for example mangé which is the past participle of the verb 'manger', which means 'to eat'. 

So we can then form a phrase like: "j'avais mangé" which means I had eaten.

KM
Answered by Kate M. French tutor

2402 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How should I approach the longer (90 word) writing question?


How should I practice for a GCSE French speaking exam?


How do I differentiate between the articles le/la/les/un/une/des and when to use them?


Translation from English to French


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning