Question

What English helping verb is always used to translate the pluperfect tense?

Answer 1

The auxiliary verb had is often used to translate the pluperfect tense.

Explanation:

The pluperfect tense is used to describe an event that happened in the past, prior to another past event that is being discussed; as such, it follows that the action assuming the pluperfect tense is a completed action.

In English the pluperfect is expressed by using "had" as an auxiliary verb. For example:

• "Lawrence bought an apple from the grocer." (perfect)
• "Lawrence had bought an apple from the grocer, but he soon ate it." (pluperfect with reference to perfect verb)