Past Perfect Continuous

How long something ran up to a past moment.

S + had + been + Ving

Emphasizes the duration of an action that was ongoing up to a certain point in the past. Often used with for to show how long it lasted.

Examples

  • He had been driving for six hours before the break.
  • They had been negotiating the rate for a week before signing.
  • Had she been waiting long when you arrived?

  • He had been drive for six hours before the break.

    He had been driving for six hours before the break.

    had been must be followed by Ving: had been driving.

Common mistakes

  • had been + V1 instead of Ving: had been drive → had been driving.
  • Confusing it with Past Perfect Simple when the duration itself matters.
Practice