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The past perfect continuous FURTHER EXAMPLES

English uses the past perfect continuous with the past See also:
simple to talk about an activity that was in progress Past simple 7 Present perfect continuous 12
before another action or event happened. Infinitives and participles 51

THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
The past simple refers to PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
a specific completed event
in the past. The past perfect
continuous describes a
repeated action or continuing
activity that was taking place
before that completed event.

PAST SIMPLE THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS AND PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
TWO YEARS BEFORE PAST NOW The present perfect continuous is used
to talk about an action in progress or
repeated activity that was taking place
until the present moment.

TWO HOURS AGO NOW

SIX HOURS BEFORE PAST NOW

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
HOW TO FORM The past perfect continuous is used to
The past perfect continuous is formed talk about an ongoing action or repeated
using “had been” plus a present participle. activity that was taking place until
another specified moment in the past.
SUBJECT “HAD BEEN” VERB + “-ING” REST OF SENTENCE

TWO HOURS BEFORE PAST NOW
“Had been” doesn't
change with the subject.

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