When to use the past perfect and past continuous in one sentence?
You need to use the past perfect and past continuous in one sentence when showing the completed actions that occurred before the continuous actions take place.
Generally, you need to use the past perfect to describe situations that were completed before the occurrence of other actions. As for the past continuous, it is used to describe ongoing actions that were happening at particular times in the past.
*I explained each of these tenses individually, feel free to check them here for more detailed information.
Let’s have a look at some examples with their explanations to learn more about using the past perfect and past continuous in one sentence:
Example:
I had finished my work before I was watching TV.
Explanation:
The work was done before getting myself engaged in watching TV.
Example:
She had left the party by the time I was arriving.
Explanation:
The leaving part happened before getting myself there to the party.
More examples:
I had finished my project before I was attending the lecture.
They had prepared everything before they were setting up the event.
How to form questions using the past perfect and past continuous?
To form past perfect and past continuous questions using (Wh-Question), you need to the follow this structure:
Wh-question word + had + subject + past participle + when/while + subject + was/were + present participle?
Examples:
What had he finished before he was watching TV?
Why had you eaten dinner before you were reading a book?
If you want to form (Yes/No) questions, follow this structure:
Had + subject + past participle + when/while + subject + was/were + present participle?
Examples:
Had they booked their flight before they was packing their bags?
Had you made breakfast before you was getting ready for work?
How to form negative sentences using the past perfect and past continuous?
You need to look at the following structure to learn more about the negative form:
Subject + had not + past participle + when/while + subject + was/were + not + present participle
Examples:
He had not left the building before the alarm was not going off.
They had not left the party when I was not arriving.
*You can use the complete form (have not/ has not) or the contraction form (haven’t/ hasn’t), it depends on the person you speak with. Professionally and in formal settings, use the complete form. When speaking informally with family, friends, chatting, etc use the contraction form.
I hope you find this English grammar lesson useful, let me know if you have any questions related to the combination of using the past perfect and past continuous or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained other English grammar topics here so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂
Have a great day & take care!