Past perfect continuous · B2. Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity.
Complete 12 original tasks. Use the situation to choose the intended meaning, practise the form, then apply it in a fresh context.
Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity.
They had been searching for survivors for six hours when the helicopter arrived.Use had + past participle for a result already complete at a past reference time, or for a state lasting up to that time. With a stative meaning, know normally uses the simple perfect: had known for ten years does not imply the acquaintance then ended.
By the audit date, we had checked all forty accounts.Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment.
She was drenched because she had been cycling in the rain.
The search lasted from dawn until the helicopter arrived; stress the ongoing duration.
Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity.
They had been searching for survivors for six hours when the helicopter arrived.Use had + past participle for a result already complete at a past reference time, or for a state lasting up to that time. With a stative meaning, know normally uses the simple perfect: had known for ten years does not imply the acquaintance then ended.
By the audit date, we had checked all forty accounts.Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment.
She was drenched because she had been cycling in the rain.Keep the first try. Understand the change. Check it in a fresh situation.
No practice notes yet. Try a short warm-up.
Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity.
They had been searching for survivors for six hours when the helicopter arrived.Use had + past participle for a result already complete at a past reference time, or for a state lasting up to that time. With a stative meaning, know normally uses the simple perfect: had known for ten years does not imply the acquaintance then ended.
By the audit date, we had checked all forty accounts.Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment.
She was drenched because she had been cycling in the rain.Opening an answer records help for that question.
The search lasted from dawn until the helicopter arrived; stress the ongoing duration.
The deciding clue is “The search lasted from dawn until the helicopter arrived; stress the ongoing duration.”. Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity. In this task, the completed sentence is “They had been searching for survivors for six hours when the helicopter arrived.”.
The focus is a completed total before the audit.
The deciding clue is “The focus is a completed total before the audit.”. Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. In this task, the completed sentence is “By the audit date, we had checked all forty accounts.”.
Her wet clothes were evidence of activity immediately before she entered.
The deciding clue is “Her wet clothes were evidence of activity immediately before she entered.”. Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment. In this task, the completed sentence is “She was drenched because she had been cycling in the rain.”.
Use the duration-focused form for activity continuing until yesterday’s failure.
The deciding clue is “Use the duration-focused form for activity continuing until yesterday’s failure.”. Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity. In this task, the completed sentence is “The pump had been running continuously for months before it failed.”.
Use the past perfect simple of complete for work finished before the inspection.
Complete sentence: “Before the inspection began, the crew had completed every safety check.” Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
The driver was tired at the past reference point because of the preceding activity.
The deciding clue is “The driver was tired at the past reference point because of the preceding activity.”. Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment. In this task, the completed sentence is “He was exhausted because he had been driving through the night.”.
Use the past perfect continuous of negotiate to stress duration before the deal.
Complete sentence: “The unions had been negotiating for weeks when an agreement was finally reached.” Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.
The question asks for duration up to a past moment, not now.
The deciding clue is “The question asks for duration up to a past moment, not now.”. Use had been + -ing to express the duration of activity leading up to a past point, including evidence of recent activity. In this task, the completed sentence is “How long had you been working when the power failed?”.
Use the past perfect simple of know for the state before the trial.
At the time of the trial, the acquaintance had lasted ten years. Use had known: know describes a state and normally uses the simple rather than continuous perfect. The sentence does not say the acquaintance ended at the trial.
Steam on the windows showed the room’s recent activity before we entered.
The deciding clue is “Steam on the windows showed the room’s recent activity before we entered.”. Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment. In this task, the completed sentence is “People had been exercising in the room; the windows were steamed up.”.
Distinguish a completed product from the process leading up to it.
The deciding clue is “Distinguish a completed product from the process leading up to it.”. Use had + past participle to express an event completed before a later reference point in the past. In this task, the completed sentence is “Before the editor called, I had finished the final version and sent it.”.
Use the past perfect continuous of leak for the process causing the earlier damage.
Complete sentence: “The floor was rotten because the pipe had been leaking for months.” Use had been + -ing to express a prior activity inferred from its visible effect at a later past moment. The subject, time and meaning in the task determine this form. Only reviewed responses are matched automatically; other wording is not automatically wrong.