What's the difference between Past Perfect and Pluperfect?

Question

I wanted to write out a verb table in english so i could have a quick reference when writing in spanish and trying to use the reference materials to make sure i was putting the verbs into the correct tense because, at present, i struggle to remember what the tense names mean.

I have, however, become stuck on Past Perfect and Pluperfect. The spanishdict verb tables list the two as seperate tenses but when i was looking for the english equivilant to write down i was told by wikipaedia (that source of absolute truth) that they were one and the same.

So my question is, can anyone explain to me the difference between the two and why some sources suggest they are one and the same.

OR; (and this would be much easier)

Can someone point me to an English equivalent to the (excellent) verb tables Spanishdict provides? So i've got the point of reference i was after in the 1st place.

Many thanks Joe

Answer 1

I have, however, become stuck on Past Perfect and Pluperfect. The spanishdict verb tables list the two as seperate tenses

Even though this is true, I think that the given plu perfect is completely obsolete in modern Spanish, you can only find it in old texts.

this is what is mentioned in the reference :

The past perfect (el pluscuamperfecto), also known as the plu perfect is a combination of the past participle and the imperfect of the verb haber.

MY advice: forget about the plu perfect.

Thank you very much, i will do. - JoeyMoon, DIC 3, 2009