Past perfect continuous
Past perfect continuous means “Past perfect continuous: had been + V-ing shows an action that had been going on up to a point in the past.”. Had been + V-ing looks back from a point in the past to an action that had been continuing before it: She had been studying for hours when I called—the studying started earlier and was still going on at the moment of the call. Formation: had been + V-ing
Past perfect continuous: had been + V-ing shows an action that had been going on up to a point in the past.
B2Formation
had been + V-ing
Explanation
Had been + V-ing looks back from a point in the past to an action that had been continuing before it: She had been studying for hours when I called—the studying started earlier and was still going on at the moment of the call. It often explains a past situation or result: His eyes were red because he had been crying. Compare it with the past perfect (had done), which sees the earlier action as finished rather than ongoing.
Examples
Note
As with other continuous forms, state verbs are avoided: I had known her for years (not had been knowing).
FAQ
Past perfect continuous — what does it mean and how is it used?
Past perfect continuous: had been + V-ing shows an action that had been going on up to a point in the past.. Had been + V-ing looks back from a point in the past to an action that had been continuing before it: She had been studying for hours when I called—the studying started earlier and was still going on at the moment of the call. It often explains a past situation or result: His eyes were red because he had been crying. Compare it with the past perfect (had done), which sees the earlier action as finished rather than ongoing.
Past perfect continuous — how do you form it?
had been + V-ing
Past perfect continuous — any usage notes?
As with other continuous forms, state verbs are avoided: I had known her for years (not had been knowing).