We use the Past Perfect to talk about something that occurred in the past, before another event in the past.
By the time:
A common time clause that we use with the Past Perfect is ‘by the time’.
By the time something occured in the past, something else had already occured.
Some examples:
Joan had learned to read by the time she was eight years old.
We had finished eating dinner by the time the power went out.
What had you accomplished, by the time you finished university?
I hadn’t finished the report by the time that it was due.
Practice Using the Past Perfect:
Past Perfect practice here
Past Perfect speaking activity here
Past Perfect board game here
Present perfect or Past Perfect game here
