Meaning of Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The Past Perfect Continuous is used when any action/activity has begun at some time in the past and has continued till some other specific time in the past. In the case of Present Perfect Continuous, any action that has begun at some time in the past continues up to the present.
Usage of Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The Past Perfect Continuous works on the formula:
had been + verb’s present participle (root+ -ing)
Examples of Past Perfect Continuous Tense
- I had been working on my project when my boss came into the cabin.
- Roy had been walking before he got into an accident.
- I had been working in the company before the layoff.
- Had she been eating when her mom arrived?
- Had he been speaking English before he went to America?
- Had you been attending the classes?
Difference Between Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Tense is used with the action verbs, which emphasize the completion of the given event; whereas Past Perfect Continuous is used to show the event or action in the past but still continuing.