Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Usage of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

General Rules of Past Perfect ContinuousTense

Helping Verbs of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

“Had been” as Helping Verb in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Examples of “Had been” as Helping Verb in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

1. She had been studying all night before the exam began.
2. They had been living in New York for five years before they moved to California.
3. He had been working at the company for a decade when he got promoted.
4. The children had been playing outside until it started to rain.
5. I had been waiting for the bus for an hour before it finally arrived.
6. We had been watching that TV series before it got canceled.
7. The dog had been barking for hours before the owner came back.
8. John had been writing a novel when the idea for a new story struck him.
9. They had been practicing for weeks before the final performance.
10. She had been feeling unwell for days before going to the doctor.

Formula for Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Formula for Declarative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Examples of Declarative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

1. She had been reading the novel for two hours before dinner.
2. They had been working on the project since morning.
3. I had been waiting for the bus when it started raining.
4. He had been studying French for three years before he moved to Paris.
5. The children had been playing in the park before it got dark.
6. We had been living in that house for ten years before we shifted.
7. The workers had been building the bridge for months.
8. You had been cooking for a long time before the guests arrived.
9. She had been crying because she lost her phone.
10. The teacher had been explaining the lesson for over an hour.

Formula for Negative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Examples of Negative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

1. She had not been studying for the exam.
2. They had not been living in this city for long.
3. He had not been working at the company before it shut down.
4. I had not been sleeping well before the trip.
5. We had not been playing cricket due to the rain.
6. The students had not been completing their homework on time.
7. It had not been raining when we left home.
8. You had not been following the instructions correctly.
9. The baby had not been crying until the lights went off.
10. John had not been attending classes regularly.

Formula for Interrogative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Examples of Interrogative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Yes/No Questions

1. Had she been studying all night?
2. Had they been working on the project before the deadline?
3. Had he been living in London for a long time?
4. Had we been waiting for you at the station?
5. Had I been talking too loudly?
6. Had the children been playing outside before dinner?
7. Had you been feeling well before the trip?
8. Had it been raining when you left home?
9. Had she been working at that company for long?
10. Had they been calling you since morning?

Wh- Questions (What/When/Where/Why/Which/Who)

1. Why had you been crying before the meeting?
2. Where had she been staying during the holidays?
3. What had they been doing before you arrived?
4. Who had been using my computer?
5. How long had he been sleeping?
6. What had you been reading all night?
7. Why had the dog been barking constantly?
8. Where had the kids been hiding during the game?
9. How had they been managing without electricity?
10. Who had been helping you with your homework?

Formula for Interrogative-Negative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Examples of Interrogative-Negative Sentences of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Yes/No Questions

1. Had she not been working on the project all night?
2. Had they not been waiting for the bus since morning?
3. Had you not been studying for the exam for three hours?
4. Had it not been raining when you left?
5. Had John not been exercising regularly before the accident?
6. Had the workers not been building the bridge for months?
7. Had the students not been practicing for the play?
8. Had he not been living in New York before moving here?
9. Had we not been planning the trip for weeks?
10. Had I not been helping you with the homework?

Wh- Questions (What/When/Where/Why/Which/Who)

1. Why had she not been attending the meetings regularly?
2. Where had they not been staying during the vacation?
3. What had he not been doing all this time?
4. How long had you not been feeling well?
5. Why had the teacher not been explaining the topic clearly?
6. What had they not been preparing for before the test?
7. Where had he not been working before joining this company?
8. Why had the kids not been playing outside recently?
9. How had she not been managing her time properly?
10. When had we not been following the new schedule?

Double Sentences

Past Perfect Continuous + Simple Past

1. She had been crying before the doctor arrived.
2. They had been waiting for hours when the bus finally came.
3. I had been studying all night, so I felt tired in the morning.
4. He had been working in that company when the accident happened.
5. We had been cleaning the house when the guests knocked at the door.

Past Perfect Continuous + Past Continuous

1. She had been painting the walls while I was cooking dinner.
2. He had been exercising while they were watching TV.
3. I had been reading while it was raining outside.
4. We had been fixing the car as the children were playing nearby.
5. They had been dancing while the DJ was playing music.

Past Perfect Continuous + Present Perfect

1. I have completed the project because I had been working on it for weeks.
2. She has felt better since she had been taking the medicine regularly.
3. He has improved a lot after he had been practicing daily.
4. We have learned a lot because we had been attending the workshop.
5. They have moved to another city because they had been struggling here.

Past Perfect Continuous + Simple Future

1. She had been training hard, so she will win the race.
2. They had been saving money, so they will buy a new car soon.
3. He had been studying, and I’m sure he will pass the exam.
4. We had been discussing it, and they will decide tomorrow.
5. I had been planning the trip, so we will leave next week.

Past Perfect Continuous + Present Simple

1. She had been feeling sick, but now she feels fine.
2. I had been writing stories before he joins the team.
3. They had been working on the project while he supervises them.
4. He had been complaining a lot, but now he seems happy.
5. We had been playing football, and now everyone looks tired.

Past Perfect Continuous + Simple Past

1. They had been planting trees when the storm started.
2. He had been shouting when the teacher entered the room.
3. I had been learning French before I moved to Paris.
4. We had been baking cookies when the power went out.
5. She had been writing letters when her pen broke.

Past Perfect Continuous + Past Continuous

1. I had been reading the report while they were preparing the slides.
2. He had been playing the piano while I was singing.
3. We had been discussing the plan while you were talking to the manager.
4. She had been studying while her brother was sleeping.
5. They had been rehearsing while the lights were flickering.

Past Perfect Continuous + Present Perfect

1. I have recovered because I had been taking rest properly.
2. She has gained confidence since she had been practicing speeches.
3. They have solved the issue that they had been facing for months.
4. He has improved his health since he had been eating better.
5. We have completed the task we had been planning for weeks.

Past Perfect Continuous + Simple Future

1. He had been applying to jobs, so he will get an offer soon.
2. We had been decorating the hall, and the guests will arrive shortly.
3. They had been preparing for months, and now they will perform on stage.
4. I had been working hard, and I will finally take a break.
5. She had been organizing the files, and the manager will review them tomorrow.

Past Perfect Continuous + Present Simple

1. I had been feeling tired, but now I feel fresh.
2. They had been traveling, but now they live in one place.
3. We had been waiting, and the doctor arrives at last.
4. He had been working, and now he enjoys a peaceful life.
5. She had been struggling, but now she knows her path.

Past Perfect Continuous + May

1. He had been trying, so he may succeed this time.
2. She had been practicing, so she may win the contest.
3. They had been applying, so they may get a scholarship.
4. I had been looking, so I may find the book now.
5. We had been saving, so we may afford the trip.

Past Perfect Continuous + Might

1. He had been waiting, so he might leave soon.
2. I had been thinking, so I might change my mind.
3. They had been talking, so they might reach a solution.
4. She had been crying, so she might not attend the party.
5. We had been planning, so we might start the project early.

Past Perfect Continuous + Should

1. You had been preparing, so you should do well.
2. He had been resting, so he should feel better now.
3. They had been fixing the issue, so it should be resolved.
4. I had been exercising, so I should be fit for the event.
5. We had been studying, so we should pass the test.

Past Perfect Continuous + Could

1. He had been saving, so he could afford the new phone.
2. I had been working, so I could buy the gift.
3. She had been training, so she could lift heavier weights.
4. They had been learning, so they could speak Spanish fluently.
5. We had been walking, so we could reach early.

Past Perfect Continuous + Would

1. I had been practicing, so I would perform confidently.
2. She had been learning, so she would understand easily.
3. They had been helping, so they would finish early.
4. He had been preparing, so he would win the competition.
5. We had been organizing, so we would impress the judges.