Past Simple or Past Perfect? ESL Worksheet

To access this worksheet as an online activity, view our 'Past Simple or Past Perfect?' exercise.

ESL Worksheet: Past Simple or Past Perfect?

Instructions: Choose the correct answer.

Q1 - By the time we ____, everyone had left.
 
arrived
 
had arrived
Q2 - I _____ a long time ago.
 
finished
 
had finshed
 
Either could be used here.
Q3 - By that time, everybody ____ exhausted.
 
was
 
had been
 
Either could be used here.
Q4 - She told me she ____ it ages ago.
 
did
 
had done
 
Either could be used here.
Q5 - I ____ of it until you mentioned it.
 
didn't hear
 
hadn't heard
Q6 - I ____ enough time to finish the exam.
 
didn't have
 
hadn't had
 
Either could be used here.
Q7 - If I ____, I'd have helped.
 
knew
 
had known
 
Either could be used here.
Q8 - If I ____, I'd tell you.
 
knew
 
had known
 
Either could be used here.
Q9 - No sooner ____ than I realised what was going on.
 
did I arrive
 
had I arrived
 
Either could be used here.
Q10 - Until last month, I _____ it before.
 
didn't try
 
hadn't tried

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