Past Perfect Continuous Tense in English

What is the past perfect continuous tense?

The past perfect continuous tense can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past and had just ended before another action occurred.

Examples:

1. We had been watching the stars for hours
2. He had been studying for the law exam for months.
3. She had been practicing the piano for hours.
4. The garden had been blooming for weeks.
5. The team had been playing soccer for hours.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula

Subject + had + been + present participle (V_ing) + Object

Type of Sentences	Formula	Sentences
Positive	[Subject + had + been + Ving + object]	They had been shopping all day.
Negative	[Subject + had + not + been + Ving + object]	They had not been shopping all day.
Question	[Had+ subject + been + Ving + object + ?]	Had they been shopping all day?
Negative Interrogative	[had + subject + not + been + Ving + object + ?]	Had they not been shopping all day?

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Examples

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
He had been running for an hour.	He had not been running for an hour.	Had he been running for an hour?
They had been playing guitar for years.	They had not been playing guitar for years.	Had they been playing guitar for years?
She had been practicing yoga for years.	She had not been practicing yoga for years.	Had she been practicing yoga for years?
We had been writing the report all day.	We had not been writing the report all day.	Had we been writing the report all day?
I had been washing a car for an hour.	I had not been washing a car for an hour.	Had I been washing a car for an hour?

Affirmative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + had+ been + present participle of verb + object/complement

1. He had been fishing in the lake for hours.
2. They had been shopping all day?
3. She had been working out at the gym for hours.
4. I had been walking my dog for hours.
5. She had been reading the novel for days.
6. We had been hiking in the mountains for hours.
7. I had been waiting for the job offer for weeks.
8. She had been studying psychology for years.
9. He had been learning to cook for months.
10. We had been planning the party for weeks.
11. She had been training her dog for months.
12. We had been backpacking through the mountains for days.
13. She had been dancing all night long.
14. They had been waiting for the bus for hours.
15. She had been practicing the piano for hours.
16. She had been working on the project for weeks.
17. He had been rehearsing the play for weeks.
18. He had been exercising for hours.
19. We had been playing the game for hours.
20. She had been walking the dog for hours.

Negative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Subject + had+ not + been + present participle of verb + object/complement

1. They hadn’t been working hard on the project.
2. He hadn’t been taking care of his health.
3. The team hadn’t been communicating effectively.
4. He hadn’t been eating a balanced diet.
5. We hadn’t been taking the necessary precautions.
6. They hadn’t been managing their time effectively.
7. The weather hadn’t been improving for days.
8. They hadn’t been working together as a team.
9. She hadn’t been listening to our advice.
10. The car hadn’t been getting repaired on time.
11. We had not been dancing all night long.
12. He had not been walking the streets for hours.
13. We had not been sailing for hours before the storm.
14. He had not been cooking dinner all night.
15. They had not been studying history for years.
16. He had not been playing the game for hours.
17. She had not been cleaning the house for hours.
18. They had not been practicing their singing all day.
19. We had not been driving for hours before arriving.
20. They had not been waiting in line for hours.

Interrogative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Had+ subject+ been + present participle of verb + object/complement

1. Had he been working out at the gym?
2. Had she been cooking dinner for hours?
3. Had they been waiting for the train all night?
4. Had she been writing the article all day?
5. Had we been walking in the park for hours?
6. Had they been waiting in line for hours?
7. Had they been walking the dog for hours?
8. Had he been learning the language for months?
9. Had she been practicing the dance for days?
10. Had she been writing the book for months?
11. Had it been raining heavily all day?
12. Had you been studying for the exam?
13. Had she been working out regularly?
14. Had it been snowing since morning?
15. Had she been working on the project since morning?
16. Had she been waiting for the bus when you arrived?

Exercise of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

1. They ______________ in New York for years. (live)
2. The dog ______________ all night. (bark)
3. I ______________ for days before the exam. (study)
4. They ______________ in the park for hours. (walk)
5. She ______________ the picture for days. (paint)
6. He ______________ geology for years. (study)
7. She ______________ regularly to stay fit. (exercising)
8. She ______________ dinner for the entire family. (cook)
9. They ______________ the issue for hours. (discuss)
10. He ______________ at the airport for hours. (wait)

Answers:

1. They had been living in New York for years. (live)
2. The dog had been barking all night. (bark)
3. I had been studying for days before the exam. (study)
4. They had been walking in the park for hours. (walk)
5. She had been painting the picture for days. (paint)
6. He had been studying geology for years. (study)
7. She had been exercising regularly to stay fit. (exercising)
8. She had been cooking dinner for the entire family. (cook)
9. They had been discussing the issue for hours. (discuss)
10. He had been waiting at the airport for hours. (wait)