The past perfect continuous tense describes an ongoing action that started in the past, continued for a period of time, and was still ongoing when another past action occurred. It emphasizes the duration of the action in the past. It is formed using “had been” + verb-ing.
The helping verb of the past perfect continuous tense is “had been.” It is used with all subjects.
(A) Spelling rules for creating “ing form” of verb:
(1) Regular Verbs:
For regular verbs, simply add “-ing” to the base form of the verb.
Examples:
- talk + ing = talking
- play + ing = playing
- cook + ing = cooking
- dance + ing = dancing
- sing + ing = singing
(2) Verbs ending in “e”:
If a verb ends in “e,” drop the “e” and add “-ing” to form the present participle.
Examples:
- bake – e + ing = baking
- ride – e + ing = riding
- smile -e + ing = smiling
- hike – e + ing = hiking
- dive – e + ing = diving
(3) Verbs with “ee” or “oe” at the end:
If a verb ends with “ee” or “oe,” add “-ing” without any changes.
Examples:
- agree + ing = agreeing
- flee + ing = fleeing
- hoe + ing = hoeing
- pee + ing = peeing
- foresee + ing = foreseeing
(4) Verbs ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern:
If a verb ends in a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern and is stressed on the final syllable, double the final consonant before adding “-ing.”
Examples:
- swim + m + ing = swimming
- cut + t + ing = cutting
- sit + t + ing = sitting
- get + t + ing = getting
- put + t + ing = putting
(5) Verbs ending in “w,” “x,” or “y”:
For verbs ending in “w,” “x,” or “y,” simply add “ing” to form the past continuous tense.
Examples:
- Bow + ing = Bowing
- Mix + ing = Mixing
- Play + ing = Playing
- Enjoy + ing = Enjoying
- Employ + ing = Employing
(6) Verbs ending in “ie”:
If a verb ends in “ie,” change the “ie” to “y” and add “-ing.”
Examples:
- die – ie + y + ing = dying
- tie – ie + y + ing = tying
- lie – ie + y + ing = lying
- vie – ie + y + ing = vying
- untie – ie + y + ing = untying
(7) Verbs ending in “y”:
If a verb ends in “y” and the “y” is preceded by a consonant, simply add “-ing” to create the “-ing” form.
Examples:
- try + ing = trying
- fly + ing = flying
- carry + ing = carrying
- cry + ing = crying
- apply + ing = applying
(B) Since vs For
In the past perfect continuous tense, we use “for” and “since” to indicate the duration or starting point of an action or event.
“For” is used to specify the length of time an action or event occurred.
“Since” is used to specify the starting point of an action or event.
(1) Here are five examples of “Since” in the past perfect continuous tense:
- He had been working on the project since last Monday.
- She had been living in the city since 2010.
- They had been dating each other since high school.
- The team had been practicing together since early morning.
- We had been friends since childhood.
(2) Here are five examples of “For” in the past perfect continuous tense:
- She had been studying English for three years.
- They had been working on the project for several months.
- He had been traveling around Europe for a week.
- The concert had been going on for hours before it finally ended.
- We had been waiting at the restaurant for half an hour before our table was ready.
These examples show how “for” and “since” are used in the past perfect continuous tense to indicate the duration or starting point of an action or event.