Difference between Past perfect tense and past perfect continuous tense
Past perfect tense is used when an action is completed in the past. It indicates the actions between two past actions which occurred first. We need to use past perfect tense for the actions which is completed before completing another past action. To use the two tenses correctly based on the certain conditions we need to understand the using rules first. By considering the facts of application rules we will be able to use the tenses appropriately by mentioning time adverbs for each action. In this article, we will discuss about all rules of pats perfect tense and past perfect continuous tense with formation structure and examples.
Formation rules:
Past perfect tense:
Subject+ had+ verb 3rd form+ object or other words.
Past perfect continuous tense:
Subject+ had+ been+ verb-ing+ time adverbs+ object or other words.
We will discuss further about the usage differences for the two tenses. Students are advised to focus on the using rules completely to understand the clear concepts for each tense separately. The rules are mentioned below along with suitable examples:
i) Past perfect tense refers past actions which already finished in past before completing another past action. Past perfect continuous tense refers actions which started in the past and are about to continue in the past after another past actions.
Ex.
I reached the platform after the train had left. (past perfect)
She had been working for extra two hours when she was on leave. (past perfect continuous)
ii) Past perfect tense emphasizes the results any completed action in the past, while the past perfect continuous tense mentions the time duration for completing an action in the past.
Ex.
I had visited the new city many time after I got the new job. (past perfect)
She needed a holiday as she had been working overtime for the past month. (past perfect continuous)
iii) Past perfect tense are always used to mention two past events which are linked to each other, past perfect continuous tense shows the cause and effects by explaining two actions.
Ex.
I could not reach there on time because I had forgotten the exact time of reaching. (past perfect)
I have been travelling for two days, so I was extremely tired. (past perfect continuous)
FAQs:
1.) What is the common factor for past perfect tense and past perfect continuous tense?
Answer. In the two tenses, two past and completed actions are discussed where the actions are linked with each other for certain reasons.
2.) Which past tense shows the progressive form of actions in past?
Answer. Both past continuous and past perfect continuous refer progressive actions in past.
3.) When is past perfect tense used?
Answer. Past perfect tense is always used for referring the past actions which finished before another past action.
4.) When is past perfect continuous tense used?
Answer. Pats perfect continuous tense is used for mentioning the duration of an past action which is the result of another past action.
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