Master Past Perfect Continuous Tense with 100 Practical Examples

The Past Perfect Continuous Tense describes an action that started in the past, continued for some time, and was still ongoing before another action or event in the past. It emphasizes the duration of an action leading up to a certain point.

The past perfect continuous tense describes actions that had been ongoing before another action or point in the past. Formed with “had been” + present participle (verb+ing), it helps express duration and continuity in storytelling and reports. With 100 practical examples, the teacher helps the student master tense usage with real-world context.

Structure:

• Affirmative: Subject + had been + verb + ing
  • Example: She had been studying for hours before the exam.
• Negative: Subject + had not been + verb + ing
  • Example: They had not been working when the boss arrived.
• Interrogative: Had + subject + been + verb + ing?
  • Example: Had you been practicing before the competition?

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100 Examples of Past Perfect Continuous Tense

1. Affirmative Sentences (Describing ongoing actions before another past event):

1. I had been working on the project for three hours before the power went out.
2. She had been studying all night before the test.
3. They had been playing football for an hour when it started to rain.
4. He had been cooking dinner when the guests arrived.
5. We had been waiting for the bus for 20 minutes when it finally arrived.
6. I had been reading that book for a month before I finished it.
7. She had been cleaning the house before her guests showed up.
8. They had been traveling across Europe for a year before returning home.
9. He had been exercising regularly before he got injured.
10. We had been watching TV when the news broke.
11. I had been practicing piano for two hours before the recital.
12. She had been learning French before moving to Paris.
13. They had been saving money for months before buying the car.
14. He had been thinking about changing his job before the promotion.
15. We had been discussing the problem for days before finding a solution.
16. I had been jogging every morning before work for months.
17. She had been planning the wedding for over a year before the date.
18. They had been playing cards when the lights went out.
19. He had been building the shed before the storm hit.
20. We had been looking for the keys before we found them.
21. I had been eating healthier before the vacation.
22. She had been baking cookies for hours before the party.
23. They had been painting the house before it rained.
24. He had been studying for weeks before the final exam.
25. We had been waiting for the package for two days.
26. I had been walking to work every day before I bought a car.
27. She had been practicing her dance routine before the performance.
28. They had been playing video games for hours before dinner.
29. He had been teaching for 10 years before retiring.
30. We had been working on the garden before the rain started.
31. I had been taking guitar lessons for months before performing.
32. She had been organizing the event for weeks before it happened.
33. They had been researching the topic before writing the paper.
34. He had been fishing all morning before catching anything.
35. We had been cleaning the garage when the delivery arrived.
36. I had been learning Spanish for three months before my trip.
37. She had been jogging regularly before her knee injury.
38. They had been hiking for hours before they reached the summit.
39. He had been playing tennis before the match was called off.
40. We had been planning our vacation for a long time before booking tickets.
41. I had been driving for six hours before stopping for a break.
42. She had been preparing for the interview before getting the call.
43. They had been swimming for 30 minutes before the pool closed.
44. He had been studying for the entrance exam for months.
45. We had been negotiating the deal before we agreed on the terms.
46. I had been helping my brother with his homework before dinner.
47. She had been reading the novel before she lost it.
48. They had been practicing for the competition for weeks.
49. He had been traveling abroad before he moved back home.
50. We had been working at the company for five years before it shut down.

2. More Affirmative Sentences:

51. I had been teaching English before I moved to Japan.
52. She had been writing her book for months before it was published.
53. They had been playing basketball before the game was postponed.
54. He had been training for the marathon for a year.
55. We had been painting the fence before the storm arrived.
56. I had been using my old laptop before I bought a new one.
57. She had been cooking dinner before the power went out.
58. They had been playing outside when their mother called them in.
59. He had been drawing pictures before he started painting.
60. We had been preparing for the meeting all day.
61. I had been gardening before the rain started.
62. She had been traveling around the world before settling down.
63. They had been filming the scene before the sun set.
64. He had been working on the report before he fell ill.
65. We had been building the website for months before it launched.
66. I had been taking photos before my camera broke.
67. She had been knitting a sweater before the project got delayed.
68. They had been fixing the car before the mechanic arrived.
69. He had been working on the painting for hours.
70. We had been rehearsing for the play before it was canceled.
71. I had been searching for a job for weeks before I got an offer.
72. She had been preparing for her presentation before the power cut.
73. They had been singing together before the event started.
74. He had been improving his skills before the competition.
75. We had been organizing the files for the meeting.
76. I had been waiting for the bus for 15 minutes before it arrived.
77. She had been editing the document before submitting it.
78. They had been practicing yoga before the class ended.
79. He had been decorating the house before the guests arrived.
80. We had been reviewing the contract before signing it.
81. I had been studying art before I enrolled in the university.
82. She had been learning to play the violin before joining the orchestra.
83. They had been playing chess for hours before taking a break.
84. He had been researching for his thesis before the library closed.
85. We had been repairing the roof before the storm came.
86. I had been working on the project before the deadline.
87. She had been preparing breakfast before the fire alarm went off.
88. They had been camping in the forest before it started to rain.
89. He had been learning to drive before he got his license.
90. We had been practicing for the concert before it was postponed.
91. I had been designing the website before it went live.
92. She had been training for the competition for months.
93. They had been building the model before it broke.
94. He had been taking piano lessons before the recital.
95. We had been working on the presentation all week.
96. I had been running the marathon before my knee started hurting.
97. She had been cooking dinner before the guests arrived.
98. They had been playing cards before the power went out.
99. He had been writing the script before the movie was filmed.
100. We had been preparing for the test for weeks before the date was changed.

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Negative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Structure:

• Subject + had + not + been + verb + ing
  • Example: I had not been studying for long when the lights went out.

10 Negative Sentence Examples:

1. I had not been working on the project when they arrived.
2. She had not been sleeping well before the trip.
3. They had not been practicing enough for the performance.
4. He had not been eating healthily before he got sick.
5. We had not been exercising regularly before joining the gym.
6. I had not been studying much before the exam.
7. She had not been saving money for the vacation.
8. They had not been planning the party before the invitations were sent.
9. He had not been working on the car when it broke down.
10. We had not been rehearsing before the concert started.

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Interrogative Sentences in Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Structure:

• Had + subject + been + verb + ing?
  • Example: Had they been working for long before the power went out?

10 Interrogative Sentence Examples:

1. Had you been studying before the exam?
2. Had she been practicing for the competition?
3. Had they been playing soccer when it started to rain?
4. Had he been cooking when the guests arrived?
5. Had we been waiting long before the bus came?
6. Had you been working there before the company closed?
7. Had she been learning French before visiting Paris?
8. Had they been driving for hours before stopping for gas?
9. Had he been working on the project when it was canceled?
10. Had we been discussing the issue before the meeting started?