Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous

Understanding the difference between past perfect and past perfect continuous tenses is important for mastery of English grammar. Each tense has unique rules and examples that highlight their specific uses.

In this reference, you will explore the differences in form and usage between the past perfect and past perfect continuous tenses.

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Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous | Form

Past perfect tense:

• We form the past perfect with had and the past participle:
• Had + past participle

Past perfect continuous tense:

• We form the past perfect continuous with had been and the -ing form of the verb:
• Had been + V-ing

Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous | Usage

The past perfect tense expresses a past action, already finished when another past action happened; the past perfect continuous tense describes a past action which started in the past and continued to happen after another action or time in the past.

• I met them after they had divorced.
• Sara had been working here for two weeks when she had the accident.

The past perfect tense emphasizes the result of an activity in the past; in contrast, the past perfect continuous tense emphasizes the duration of an activity in the past.

• I had been to London twice by the time I got a job in New York.
• Richard needed a holiday because he had been working hard for six months.

The past perfect tense shows two events in the past that are linked, while the past perfect continuous tense shows the cause of a past action.

• I couldn’t take my flight because I had forgotten my boarding pass.
• I had been travelling all night, so I was tired.