Learn Croatian Pluperfect Tense

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Understanding the Hrvatski Pluperfect Tense
The Pluperfect Tense in Croatian, also known as 'pluskvamperfekt', is used to describe actions that were completed before another action in the past. It's like saying 'I had done something' in English.
Important Points
  • The Pluperfect Tense is formed using the imperfect form of 'biti' (to be) and the past participle of the main verb.
  • The verb 'biti' is used in its imperfect form: bio, bila, bilo, bili, bile, bila.
  • The main verb's past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
  • The Pluperfect Tense is not commonly used in everyday speech but is more often found in literature.
Examples
  • Kada sam stigao, ona je već bila otišla.
  • On je bio pročitao knjigu prije nego što je film izašao.
  • Mi smo bili završili zadatak prije nego što je učitelj došao.
To form the Pluperfect Tense, you need to remember two things: use the imperfect form of 'biti' for the subject and combine it with the past participle of the verb you want to use. The past participle will change depending on whether the subject is masculine, feminine, or neuter, and whether it is singular or plural.
Examples
  • Oni su bili pojeli ručak prije nego što je kiša počela.
  • Ti si bio vidio film prije mene.
  • Ana je bila posjetila baku prije nego što je otišla na more.