The Sequence of Tenses: Past to Pluperfect
When reporting a present-tense statement using a past-tense reporting verb, the reported clause backshifts to the imparfait. If the original statement was already in the past (the passé composé), it shifts one step further back in time to the plus-que-parfait (pluperfect).
To form the plus-que-parfait, use the imparfait of the auxiliary verb (avoir or être) plus the past participle.
| I told the insurance company that I had reported the accident. | J'ai dit à l'assurance que j'avais déclaré l'accident. |
| We explained to the insurance company that we had filled out the accident report. | Nous avons expliqué à l'assurance que nous avions rempli le constat. |
Explaining the Accident
When detailing exactly what happened in an accident report, you will frequently report the previous actions of drivers and vehicles.
| I explained that the driver had braked because it was raining. | J'ai expliqué que le conducteur avait freiné parce qu'il pleuvait. |
| The driver confirmed that he had damaged the car door. | Le conducteur a confirmé qu'il avait endommagé la portière. |
| She said that a bike had struck the car door. | Elle a dit qu'un vélo avait percuté la portière. |
| He stated that the truck had backed into his bumper. | Il a affirmé que le camion avait reculé dans son pare-chocs. |
Just like in the passé composé, negations wrap around the auxiliary verb. When backshifting il y a eu (there was / there has been) to the plus-que-parfait, it becomes il y avait eu (there had been).
| He explained that there had been no damage. | Il a expliqué qu'il n'y avait pas eu de dégâts. |
| We wrote on the accident report that he had not braked. | Nous avons écrit sur le constat qu'il n'avait pas freiné. |
Auxiliary Être and Pronouns
When the original verb takes être as its auxiliary (like aller or reflexive verbs), the plus-que-parfait uses the imparfait of être (j'étais, il était, nous étions, etc.). Pronouns like y stay exactly where they belong: right before the auxiliary verb.
| The expert added that they had gone there. | L'expert a ajouté qu'ils y étaient allés. |
| The expert stated that the accident had happened there. | L'expert a affirmé que l'accident s'y était passé. |