English grammar
You said you had done it — past becomes past perfect
Report what someone said they had already done.
From the scene You said you'd done it
In short
When you report something done, move it back to had + past participle: you said you had done it.
Your turn
Which one goes with irregular: bring → brought?
Options: you said you had carried up all the boxes · the plate you said you hadn't broken · you said you had brought down the lamp
Show answer
irregular: bring → brought → you said you had brought down the lamp
How it works
When you report something someone said they did or have done, it usually moves back to had + past participle.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Tomás, an hour ago you said you (blank) already done it all.
Options: was · had · has
Show answer
Tomás, an hour ago you said you had already done it all.
Tomás, hace una hora dijiste que ya lo habías hecho todo.
Good to know
'I've done it all' → you said you had done it all. In speech had often shortens to 'd: I said I'd done it.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
You also said you had (blank) down the old lamp.
Clue: irregular participle
Options: bring · bringed · brought
Show answer
You also said you had brought down the old lamp.
También dijiste que habías bajado la lámpara vieja.
Good to know
Learn the irregular participles: done, brought, broken, dreamt.
had + participle you said you had carried up all the boxes
Javi
Yes. You said you had carried up all the boxes.
Sí. Dijiste que habías subido todas las cajas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes. (blank).
Options: You said you had brought down the lamp · The plate you said you hadn't broken · You said you had carried up all the boxes
Show answer
Javi
Yes. You said you had carried up all the boxes.
Sí. Dijiste que habías subido todas las cajas.
irregular: bring → brought you said you had brought down the lamp
Your turn
What goes with you said you had brought down the lamp?
Options: negative: hadn't · irregular: bring → brought · had + participle
Show answer
you said you had brought down the lamp → irregular: bring → brought
negative: hadn't the plate you said you hadn't broken
Javi
And the plate you said you hadn't broken?
¿Y el plato que dijiste que no habías roto?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank)?
Options: you said you had carried up all the boxes · you said you had brought down the lamp · the plate you said you hadn't broken
Show answer
Javi
And the plate you said you hadn't broken?
¿Y el plato que dijiste que no habías roto?
'd = had I said I'd done it because I'd dreamt it
Tomás
All right... I said I'd done it because I'd dreamt it.
Está bien... dije que lo había hecho porque lo había soñado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
All right... (blank).
Options: I said I'd done it because I'd dreamt it · You said you had carried up all the boxes · You said you had brought down the lamp
Show answer
Tomás
All right... I said I'd done it because I'd dreamt it.
Está bien... dije que lo había hecho porque lo había soñado.
Common mistake
Not broke or break here. Irregular participle of break.
And the plate you said you hadn't broken?
¿Y el plato que dijiste que no habías roto?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| had + participle | you said you had carried up all the boxes |
|---|---|
| irregular: bring → brought | you said you had brought down the lamp |
| negative: hadn't | the plate you said you hadn't broken |
| 'd = had | I said I'd done it because I'd dreamt it |
More lines from the story
- NuriaTomás, an hour ago you said you had already done it all.Tomás, hace una hora dijiste que ya lo habías hecho todo.
- NuriaYou also said you had brought down the old lamp.También dijiste que habías bajado la lámpara vieja.
- TomásWell, almost all of them.Bueno, casi todas.