Past Perfect Continuous Tense: 10 Example Sentences
The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that began before another action in the past and continued up to that time. It is formed using the auxiliary verb "had" plus the past participle of the verb "been" and the present participle of the main verb (e.g. had been doing).
Here are 10 example sentences using the past perfect continuous tense:
1. I had been studying for three hours before I took a break.
In this sentence, the action of studying started before taking a break.
2. They had been waiting for two hours when the bus finally arrived.
In this sentence, the action of waiting started before the bus arrived.
3. She had been working on that project for six months before it was finished.
In this sentence, the action of working started before the project was finished.
4. They had been living in Paris for five years before they moved to London.
In this sentence, the action of living started before they moved to London.
5. I had been feeling unwell for weeks before I went to the doctor.
In this sentence, the action of feeling unwell started before going to the doctor.
6. They had been practicing for months before the big game.
In this sentence, the action of practicing started before the big game.
7. She had been learning French for three years before she became fluent.
In this sentence, the action of learning started before she became fluent.
8. They had been arguing for hours before they finally reconciled.
In this sentence, the action of arguing started before they reconciled.
9. I had been looking for that book for weeks before I finally found it.
In this sentence, the action of looking started before I found the book.
10. They had been planning their wedding for a year before the big day.
In this sentence, the action of planning started before the wedding day.
These sentences illustrate how the past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that began before another action in the past and continued up to that time.
