Past Perfect

Continuous
TENSE

Form
<+> : S + had + been + V1-ing + object +
modifier
<-> : S + had + not + been + V1-ing + object
+ modifier
<?> : Had + S + been + V1-ing + object +
modifier + ?

USE 1
Duration Before Something in the Past
We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that
something started in the past and continued up
until another time in the past.
Note : The duration does not continue until now,
it stops before something else in the past.

Examples
Tara had been waiting his girlfriend for over an hour
before she arrived

Examples
When it started to rain, we had been playing
football for 2 hours

USE 2
Cause of Something in the Past
Using the Past Perfect Continuous before
another action in the past is a good way to show
cause and effect.

Examples
Mr. Bean was tired because he had been
working all day long

Examples
Betty failed the final test because she had
not been studying before

Past Continuous Vs Past Perfect

Continuous
When the race started, it was raining and the
streets were wet.
(It was still raining during the race)

When the race started, it had been raining

and the streets were wet.
(It wasnt raining during the race. It had already stopped)

Thanks
For your attention