Past Perfect in Housework: 45 English Phrases

Someone Had Already Done the Dishes

When I got home, the dishes had already been washed.
When I got home, my flatmate was washing the dishes.
Have you ever come home to a kitchen someone had already tidied?
The floor had been mopped, so I took my shoes off outside.
The floor has been mopped, so do not come in with your shoes.
Nobody had taken the rubbish out, and the bin was overflowing.

I Was Sure I Had Switched It Off

I was certain I had turned the iron off before leaving.
I am certain I have turned the iron off.
Did you really think you had locked the balcony door?
It turned out that nobody had defrosted the chicken.
It turned out that nobody was going to defrost the chicken.
We had not noticed that the fridge had been unplugged.

Two Hours of Scrubbing

I had been scrubbing the pan for an hour before it gave in.
I scrubbed the pan for an hour and then gave up.
My hands were red because I had been washing up without gloves.
The washing machine had been leaking for weeks before we noticed.
The washing machine has been leaking since Monday.
How long had the tap been dripping before you called a plumber?

Cleaning for Nothing

I needn't have cleaned the flat, because the guests cancelled.
I did not need to clean the flat, so I stayed in bed.
She must have vacuumed before I arrived, because the carpet was clean.
I had scrubbed the oven for nothing, as we ordered pizza.
I scrubbed the oven, and then we ordered pizza anyway.
Should I have waited until the paint had dried?

I Realised I Had Forgotten It

Halfway through dinner I realised I had forgotten the salt.
I have just realised that we have no salt left.
Had you checked the fridge before you went shopping?
We discovered that somebody had used the last clean towel.
We discovered that somebody was using our clean towels.
I had never ironed a shirt properly until my sister showed me.

Everything Was Ready Before They Rang

By the time the guests rang the bell, everything had been done.
When the guests rang the bell, we were still hiding the mess.
Had the table been laid before your parents walked in?
The kitchen had never looked so clean before that evening.
The kitchen has never looked so clean.
Nobody had expected me to clean the whole flat in one day.

Check Yourself

By the time I came home, the dishes had been washed.
When I came home, my flatmate was washing the dishes.
I needn't have ironed the shirt, because the meeting was online.
I did not need to iron the shirt, so I left it in the wardrobe.
The tap had been dripping for a month before we fixed it.
The tap has been dripping since Monday.
I was sure I had unplugged the iron.
I am sure I have unplugged the iron.
Which chore had you been putting off until today?