Past Perfect: Unfulfilled Expectations (B2)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

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Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

I to finish the report by noon, but a meeting got in the way. (hope)

Correct answer: had hoped

Past perfect of "hope" with an infinitive complement signals an expectation that did not pan out → "had hoped". The "but" clause supplies the failure.

She to be promoted last year, but the company restructured instead. (expect)

Correct answer: had expected

Past perfect of "expect" frames the promotion as something that was anticipated and then did not happen → "had expected".

We to celebrate her birthday at the beach, but it rained all day. (plan)

Correct answer: had planned

Past perfect of "plan" signals an unfulfilled intention → "had planned".

They to buy the house, but the offer fell through. (intend)

Correct answer: had intended

Past perfect of "intend" + infinitive complement signals an intention that didn't happen → "had intended".

He to start his own business, but he never quite found the courage. (want)

Correct answer: had wanted

Past perfect of "want" + infinitive signals a long-held desire that didn't come to anything → "had wanted".

Mum to host Christmas dinner, but everyone got the flu. (mean)

Correct answer: had meant

"Mean to do" in the past perfect signals an intention that didn't materialise → "had meant". Past participle of "mean" is "meant".

I a quiet evening at home, but the kids had other ideas. (anticipate)

Correct answer: had anticipated

Past perfect of "anticipate" with a noun object → "had anticipated". The "but" clause confirms the expectation went unfulfilled.

The team to launch in March, but development took longer than planned. (aim)

Correct answer: had aimed

Past perfect of "aim" + infinitive signals a target that wasn't hit → "had aimed".

He everyone would clap, but the room stayed silent. (assume)

Correct answer: had assumed

Past perfect of "assume" + that-clause signals a belief that turned out to be wrong → "had assumed".

I that the news would lift her spirits, but it had the opposite effect. (think)

Correct answer: had thought

Past perfect of "think" + that-clause signals an expectation about the future that didn't come true → "had thought". Past participle: "thought".

We of moving abroad for years, but life kept getting in the way. (dream)

Correct answer: had dreamt

Past perfect of "dream of" signals a long-held aspiration that didn't become reality → "had dreamt" (BrE) / "had dreamed" (AmE). Both forms are correct.

She a much grander celebration, but the budget cut everything in half. (imagine)

Correct answer: had imagined

Past perfect of "imagine" + noun object signals a mental picture that didn't come true → "had imagined".

They for years to expand the office, only to scrap the plan when revenue dropped. (push)

Correct answer: had pushed

Past perfect of "push" + duration signals sustained effort that ultimately led nowhere → "had pushed". "Only to scrap" reinforces the wasted effort reading.

I that the document was safe, but it had been deleted overnight. (believe)

Correct answer: had believed

Past perfect of "believe" + that-clause signals a confidence that turned out to be misplaced → "had believed".

Tom a quieter Saturday, but his phone rang non-stop. (envisage)

Correct answer: had envisaged

Past perfect of "envisage" + noun object signals a planned-for scenario that didn't materialise → "had envisaged". (AmE often prefers "envisioned".)

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