français · B2 · verb · 4 minutes
Prendre in the plus-que-parfait
Place a completed action before another past reference point.
Understand the choice
The plus-que-parfait orders two past points. Imperfect avoir creates the earlier reference frame, pris supplies the completed taking, and another past tense identifies the later event against which it is understood.
Core rule: The plus-que-parfait of prendre is imperfect avoir + the irregular past participle pris.
Notice it in context
Quand le train est arrivé, nous avions déjà pris un taxi.
When the train arrived, we had already taken a taxi.
Avions pris occurs before est arrivé; déjà emphasizes that earlier completion.
Elle avait pris des notes avant de poser sa question.
She had taken notes before asking her question.
Avait pris marks the completed preparation; avant de orders the later action.
Vous aviez déjà pris connaissance du dossier.
You had already familiarized yourself with the file.
Prendre connaissance de is a formal fixed expression using pris.
What to remember
- The plus-que-parfait is a relative past: it needs an explicit or understood later past point.
- Pris is also an adjective meaning occupied or busy; the auxiliary identifies the verb form.
Common trap: Do not use present avoir in the earlier past: j’ai pris is passé composé; j’avais pris is plus-que-parfait.