Page 429 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

423
With always, continually and similar words, the past progressive can be used for things that happened repeatedly and unexpectedly or in an unplanned way (see 472).
Aunt Lucy was always turning up without warning and bringing us presents.
I didn't like him - he was continually borrowing money.
For the ·distancing· use of past progressives (e.g. J was wondering whether you·d like to come out
with me this evelling). see 436.
past perfect (1): basic information
This entry deals with the simple past perfect. For the past perfect progressive,
see 425. 1 forms
2
had + past participle I had forgotten.
Where had she been? It hadn't rained for wee/cs. For passives (e.g. The work luuJ been done). see 412.
meaning and use: earlier past
The basic meaning of the past perfect is 'earlier past'. A common use is to 'go back' for a moment when we are already talking about the past, to make it clear that something had already happened at the time we are talking about.
During our conversation, I realised that we had met before. (NOT .. re.tlisetl that we met be}"Bre OR • • • •'tave met be.,.f.are.)
When I arrived at the party, Lucy had already gone home. (NOT ••• Lttey alrefltly ltJtMt h"me. OR ••• htts alretttly g",.,e htnfle.)
The past perfect is common after past verbs of saying and thinking, to talk about things that had happened before the saying or thinking took place.
I told her that I had finished. (NOT ••. eMt I (haltej fllli3hetl.) I wondered who had left the door open.
I thought I had sent the cheque a week before.
past perfect: we are already talking about the past, and want to talk about an earlier past
When I arrived at the party. Lucy hlld already gone home.
past perfect (1): basic infonnation 423
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