<例句>
I had thought to return early but they wouldn't let me go.
我本想早点回来的，但他们不让我走。
<语法分析>
在谈及由hope, intend, mean以及think等词所表达的未实现的愿望时，可以用过去完成时态，这是该时态的常见用法。所为过去完成时态就是过去时与完成时的结合，它表示在过去的某个时期或时刻之前已经完成的动作或存在的状态，动作或状态的时间一直延伸到过去某个时刻。
<触类旁通>
(1) When I arrived she had just left.
我到达的时候，她刚刚离开。
语法分析：过去完成时表示过去某时前某事已经发生，可以说是过去的过去。
(2) I heard that he made an important discovery.
我听说他有了一个重要的发现。
语法分析：过去完成时常用在宾语从句中，尤其用在间接引语中。
(3) As soon as she had done it, she knew it was a mistake.
她刚一动手就知道做错了。
语法分析：在状语从句中，也用过去完成时。
(4) I had intended to come over to see you, but was prevented from doing so.
我原打算过来看你，但受阻未来成。
语法分析：有些词如hope, plan, mean, expect, intend, suppose, want以及think等有时用过去完成时表示一个本来打算做而未做，曾经设想而未实现的事。
(5) He got here before I had got up.
我还未起床，他就来了。
语法分析：before之后可用过去完成时，表示一个过去未完成或未能来得及完成的动作，这个动作发生的时间迟于主句动作发生的时间。
(6) We would get into trouble as soon as the gas had run out.
汽油一用完，我们就会陷入困境。
语法分析：在时间和条件状语从句中，过去完成时可大体过去将来完成时。
<巩固练习>
(1) She told me that she ______[break] her glasses yesterday.
(2) The bell rang before I ______[complete] my paper.
(3) I _____[think] that he had died at least two years ago.
(4) I _____[hope] to enter a university, but didn't.
(5) The concert was more successful than she _____[think].
(6) She wore the necklace her mother _____[leave] her.
(7) When he _____[sing] his song he sat down.
(8) She told me that she _____[know] me since she was a child.
<参考答案>
(1) had broken (2) had completed (3) has thought (4) had hoped (5) had thought (6) had left (7) had sung (8) had known
