The past perfect continuous tense shows actions that were happening over time before another past event. It uses had been + verb+ing. For instance, “She had been waiting for an hour before the bus arrived” describes ongoing past action clearly.
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These example sentences in past perfect continuous tense help learners understand how to write longer, meaningful past tense sentences and improve English grammar effectively.
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What is Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The past perfect continuous tense describes actions that were happening over time before another past event. It is formed using had been + verb+ing, as in “She had been studying for two hours before dinner.” This tense shows the duration and continuity of past actions.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense Examples In English
Below is a list to show how this tense appears in English sentences.
- I had been studying for hours before the phone rang.
- They had been waiting outside when the store opened.
- She had been practicing piano all morning.
- We had been talking about moving away for years.
- He had been reading the same book all week.
- The kids had been playing in the yard until it got dark.
- Sara had been working here for five years when she quit.
- I had been planning the trip for months.
- You had been living there before the storm hit.
- They had been hoping for better news all day.
- She had been crying before I got home.
- We had been laughing so hard our sides hurt.
- He had been fixing the bike before you arrived.
- I had been cooking when you called.
- They had been arguing for hours before they made up.
Positive Sentences In Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Positive sentences show actions that were happening continuously before another event. Below is a list for practice.
- I had been working on that project for months.
- She had been walking every morning before sunrise.
- We had been learning new songs for the concert.
- They had been saving money for the vacation.
- He had been writing letters to his family often.
- You had been staying with your aunt before moving out.
- Sara had been preparing dinner when I came home.
- The team had been practicing hard for the match.
- I had been cleaning the house all afternoon.
- He had been painting the fence for two days.
- They had been helping each other before the coach arrived.
- We had been organizing the files for hours.
- She had been feeding the stray cats every night.
- I had been playing the guitar for an hour.
- You had been thinking about quitting your job.
Negative Sentences In Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Negative sentences show that something was not happening continuously. Below is a list for clear practice.
- I had not been eating well before I fell sick.
- She hadn’t been studying enough for her exams.
- We had not been talking much before the party.
- They hadn’t been sleeping well lately.
- He had not been exercising before the doctor’s advice.
- You had not been listening to my warnings.
- Sara hadn’t been working on her project at all.
- I had not been using my phone much before bedtime.
- The kids hadn’t been behaving properly in class.
- He had not been caring for the plants regularly.
- We hadn’t been visiting our grandparents for months.
- She had not been saving any money.
- I hadn’t been driving that route before today.
- You had not been feeling well for days.
- They hadn’t been paying attention to the news.
Question Sentences In Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Questions help check if something was happening over time. Below is a list for practice.
- Had you been working there long before quitting?
- Had she been studying enough before the exam?
- Had they been living here before you arrived?
- Had he been waiting for you all day?
- Had we been planning this for weeks?
- Had you been eating healthy before the trip?
- Had Sara been practicing for the show?
- Had they been staying up late?
- Had I been telling you about this earlier?
- Had the kids been playing outside?
- Had she been working late every night?
- Had you been feeling tired before the game?
- Had we been talking about this before?
- Had he been helping you with homework?
- Had they been cooking dinner before you came?
Sentences Showing Duration Using Past Perfect Continuous
These show how long something was happening before another event. Below is a list for practice.
- I had been reading for three hours before sleeping.
- She had been studying all day before the test.
- They had been waiting for two hours in line.
- He had been working here for ten years when he retired.
- We had been driving for six hours before stopping.
- You had been running for thirty minutes before the rain.
- Sara had been talking for an hour nonstop.
- The dog had been barking since morning.
- I had been learning Spanish for months.
- They had been dancing all night at the party.
- He had been thinking about it for days.
- She had been searching for her keys for an hour.
- We had been waiting outside since dawn.
- You had been cooking for two hours straight.
- I had been practicing for weeks before the recital.
Sentences With “Had Been” For Ongoing Past Actions
These highlight “had been” showing something in progress in the past. Below is a list for clear practice.
- I had been feeling sick before the trip.
- He had been reading my messages all week.
- They had been ignoring my calls.
- She had been visiting her aunt regularly.
- We had been planning the event for ages.
- You had been forgetting your keys often.
- The baby had been crying for an hour.
- I had been fixing my bike last night.
- He had been calling his mom every day.
- They had been working late nights.
- Sara had been singing in the choir.
- We had been arguing too much.
- She had been taking guitar lessons.
- I had been waiting at the café.
- You had been hoping for better news.
Past Perfect Continuous Sentences With Time Markers
These sentences add time words like for and since for clear context. Below is a list.
- I had been living here for three years before I moved.
- She had been working since Monday.
- They had been dating for two years before they broke up.
- He had been waiting since morning.
- We had been studying for hours before the test.
- You had been playing since noon.
- Sara had been watching TV for five hours.
- I had been feeling sick since last night.
- He had been reading for three hours straight.
- They had been fighting since last week.
- She had been looking for her bag for an hour.
- We had been talking since last night.
- You had been shopping for hours.
- I had been calling you since this morning.
- He had been driving for six hours.
Past Perfect Continuous Sentences Before Another Action
These show actions happening before something else. Below is a list for practice.
- I had been reading before the lights went out.
- She had been cooking when the guests arrived.
- They had been sleeping before the storm hit.
- He had been jogging before it rained.
- We had been talking when the call dropped.
- You had been laughing before the teacher came in.
- Sara had been painting before her friend visited.
- I had been working when you called.
- He had been driving when the car broke down.
- They had been dancing before the music stopped.
- She had been writing before the bell rang.
- We had been planning before you joined.
- You had been studying before the game started.
- I had been walking when I saw him.
- He had been fixing it when it started raining.
Past Perfect Continuous Examples For Practice
These extra sentences help you practice the tense naturally. Below is a list.
- I had been watching TV before dinner.
- She had been waiting for you all day.
- They had been thinking about moving out.
- He had been saving money for a new car.
- We had been talking about this yesterday.
- You had been reading the book before I borrowed it.
- Sara had been planning a surprise party.
- I had been cleaning my room all morning.
- He had been fixing the computer before it crashed.
- They had been listening to music all night.
- She had been feeling tired before the meeting.
- We had been practicing this song for weeks.
- You had been shopping before I saw you.
- I had been jogging before breakfast.
- He had been working on that idea for years.
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