Past Perfect Continous

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. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks" are both durations which can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous; however, the duration does not continue until now.

EXAMPLES:

They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.

She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.

James had been teaching at the University for more than a year before he left for Asia.

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:

Jason was tired because he had been jogging.

Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.

IMPORTANT

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday", many English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous. There is also a difference in meaning. Compare the examples below.


EXAMPLES:

I was reading when my roommate returned.
Emphasizes the interruption of "reading."

I had been reading for an hour when my roommate returned.
Emphasizes the amount of time "for an hour."