HomeLessons › Verbs

The pluperfect

B2Verbs · lesson 74 of 79

The pluperfect works in the precise same way as the [present perfect](#/lesson/Verbs.Re13), but this time, we use the simple _past_ tense of the verbs [hebben](#/lesson/Verbs.Ir07) or [zijn](#/lesson/Verbs.Ir06) before the [past participle](#/lesson/Verbs.Re12).

ik | had/was + pp | we | hadden/waren + pp

je | had/was + pp | jullie | hadden/waren + pp

hij | had/was + pp | ze | hadden/waren + pp

praten | stem: praat | luisteren | stem: luister

ik | had gepraat | ik | had geluisterd

je | had gepraat | je | had geluisterd

hij | had gepraat | hij | had geluisterd

we | hadden gepraat | we | hadden geluisterd

jullie | hadden gepraat | jullie | hadden geluisterd

ze | hadden gepraat | ze | hadden geluisterd

vallen\* | stem: val | betalen | stem: betaal

ik | was gevallen | ik | had betaald

je | was gevallen | je | had betaald

hij | was gevallen | hij | had betaald

we | waren gevallen | we | hadden betaald

jullie | waren gevallen | jullie | hadden betaald

ze | waren gevallen | ze | hadden betaald

For the past participle of the [strong verb](#/lesson/Verbs.Ir03) 'vallen', we use [_zijn_](#/lesson/Verbs.Ir06).

It conjugates Dutch verbs for you in all eight tenses.

Note that the examples above give you the unstressed [personal pronouns](#/lesson/Pronouns.Ps01). Some pronouns change when they are stressed in a phrase: je/jij, we/wij, ze/zij (both singular and plural).

Using the present perfect Using the pluperfect
Practice this, don't just read it

Play the grammar games (de/het, die/dat, geen/niet, word order and more), track your streak, and get feedback on every answer. Part of the full Dutch Fluency dashboard. 7 days free, then €19/month, cancel any time.

Start 7 days free Play the games