Ready for C1 p 20. Past Perfect vs. Past Perfect Continuous. Extra Grammar

1. Past Perfect (had + past participle)

Use it to show that one action was completed before another past action or time.
It focuses on the result of the action.
Form:

had + V3 (past participle)
Examples:

She had finished her homework before dinner.


By the time we arrived, the movie had started. 

Focus: The action is completed. 

Use the Past Perfect to emphasize the result or effect

If you want to highlight the result that existed in the past because of an earlier event, use past perfect.
Examples:

She was tired because she had worked all day.
→ Focus on the result: she was tired.


The ground was wet because it had rained.
→ Focus on the effect: wet ground.  

2. Past Perfect Continuous (had been + -ing)

Use it to show that an action was ongoing before another past action or time.
It focuses on the duration or continuity of the activity. 

When we talk about an ongoing action, we mean an action that was happening for a period of time and did not stop immediately: in progress /ˈprəʊɡres/.
Form:

had been + verb-ing
Examples:

She had been studying for two hours when he called.


They had been waiting for 30 minutes before the train arrived.

Focus: The action was ongoing and may not be completed. 

Use the Past Perfect Continuous to emphasize the cause + duration

If the ongoing nature or length of the activity explains the effect, use past perfect continuous.
Examples:

She was tired because she had been working all day.
→ Focus on the continuous activity that caused the effect.


The ground was wet because it had been raining.
→ Focus on the ongoing action that led to the effect.  

Comparison Example
Situation:

You arrive at a friend’s house and she looks tired.
Past Perfect:

She had cooked dinner before I arrived.
→ The cooking was finished.
Past Perfect Continuous:

She had been cooking dinner before I arrived.
→ She was cooking for some time and is tired; emphasizes the activity/duration. 

Quick Summary

Tense Structure  
Past Perfect had + past participle 

Focus 

result/completion

Example

She had cleaned the house. 

Tense Structure
Past Perfect Continuous had been + V-ing 

Focus  

duration/ongoing activity 

Example 

She had been cleaning the house for an hour. 



Simple Rule

Use 
Past Perfect 

Focus on result/effect 

E.g. She was pale because she had seen a ghost.
 

Past Perfect Continuous 

Focus on the ongoing activity that caused the effect 

E.g. She was exhausted because she had been running.