What Had Already Happened
Past Perfect
The past perfect expresses an action that had finished before another action took place in the past. The past perfect is often used to provide reasons for making a decision in the past.
Example:
Had you confirmed the final balance prior to computing the profit and loss figures?
She hadn't had time to act on behalf of Jim before she made the presentation.
How long had you told her to be held responsible for her own account records before she asked for the promotion?
Positive Form:
Subject + had + past participle + (object(s))
The subsidiary had been announced before they asked for it.
Negative Form:
Subject + had + not + past participle + (object(s))
She hadn't had time to act on behalf of Jim before she made the presentation.
Question Form:
(Question Word) + have + subject + past participle?
Did you gather all receipts before getting the final balance?