Past Perfect: By the Time Exercises
B1 Level
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"By the time" often carries a sense of being too late or missing something: "By the time I got to the shop, it had closed" (I was too late). But it can also simply describe completion: "By the time she graduated, she had lived in four different countries" (her experience up to that point). A similar expression is "by + specific time": "By midnight, they had finished everything." Both patterns work the same way. This structure appears frequently in B1 Cambridge examinations and is one of the clearest signals that the past perfect is needed.
Quick Rule
By the time + past simple, subject + had + past participle
- 1.By the time we arrived, the concert had finished. (too late — completed before arrival)
- 2.She had lived in four countries by the time she graduated. (duration up to a past point)
- 3.I hadn't packed my bags by the time the taxi came. (negative — not ready in time)
- 4.Everyone had already left for work by the time he woke up. (late discovery)
- 5.By the time they reached the restaurant, it had closed. (missed opportunity)
All 20 questions
Complete each sentence with the past perfect form. 'By the time' + past simple signals that the main clause needs past perfect. Complete with the past perfect form:
By the time we arrived at the cinema, the film _____ (start).
By the time she graduated, she _____ (live) in three different countries.
By the time the ambulance arrived, the patient _____ (recover).
By the time I got home, my children _____ (go) to bed.
By the time the fire brigade arrived, the fire _____ (destroy) the building.
By the time he turned 30, he _____ (write) three novels.
By the time the teacher arrived, the students _____ (finish) the test.
By the time I learned the truth, she _____ (leave) the country.
By the time the concert ended, we _____ (stand) for four hours.
By the time spring came, the snow _____ (melt).
By the time I checked my phone, he _____ (call) five times.
By the time they reached the summit, they _____ (climb) for twelve hours.
By the time the police arrived, the crowd _____ (leave).
By the time midnight struck, we _____ (eat) twelve grapes.
By the time I woke up, my flatmate _____ (go / already) to work.
By the time the rescue team found them, they _____ (survive) on the island for three weeks.
By the time I finished the course, I _____ (learn) over 500 new words.
By the time the taxi arrived, we _____ (wait) for an hour.
By the time the storm hit, everyone _____ (find) shelter.
By the time he retired, he _____ (work) for the same company for 40 years.
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