Examples Sentences in Past Perfect Progressive Tense (PDF)

In this post you will find brief explanation and examples sentences about the past perfect progressive tense which is also called the past perfect continues tense. Example sentences in the past perfect progressive tense will help you to understand it easily.

The past perfect progressive tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continued up until another point in the past. It’s used to show the duration of an action that was ongoing before another action took place.

‘I’ + had been+ verb (1st form)+ing + object (optional)

The structure of the past perfect progressive tense is as follows: “had been + verb + ing“. For example: “I had been working for hours before I realized it was already midnight.”

In this example, “had been working” is in the past perfect progressive tense and shows that the action of working started in the past and continued up until the speaker realized it was midnight.

Past Perfect Progressive Tense Examples

1. She had been waiting for over an hour before the bus finally arrived.
2. They had been studying all night before the big exam.
3. By the time I arrived, they had been cooking dinner for hours.
4. He had been working at the company for ten years before he got promoted.
5. The kids had been playing outside before it started to rain.
6. She had been practicing the piano for months before her recital.
7. By the time we got to the restaurant, they had been serving lunch for an hour.
8. I had been saving money for years before I could afford to buy a house.
9. They had been living in that apartment for years before they decided to move.
10. By the time he retired, he had been teaching for over thirty years.
11. She had been exercising regularly before she injured her knee.
12. They had been dating for six months before they decided to get married.
13. By the time we arrived at the party, they had been dancing for hours.
14. I had been working on my novel for months before I finally finished it.
15. She had been feeling unwell for weeks before she went to see a doctor.
16. They had been traveling around Europe for weeks before they returned home.
17. By the time they left, they had been staying with us for a month.
18. I had been dreaming of visiting Japan for years before I finally went.
19. She had been trying to quit smoking for years before she succeeded.
20. They had been arguing about the decision for hours before they reached a compromise.
21. By the time the movie ended, they had been watching for nearly three hours.
22. I had been thinking about changing careers for a while before I made the decision.
23. She had been volunteering at the shelter for months before she became a manager.
24. They had been discussing the project for weeks before they finalized the plan.
25. By the time they arrived at the party, they had been planning their outfits for days.

Affirmative Example Sentences 

1. You had been eating your meal when she came.
2. You had been running when the bell rang.
3. She had been watching a movie when they came.
4. I had been feeling well when they arrived.
5. They had been working when the boss told them to stop.

Check Also:
20+ Example Sentences in Simple Present Tense
Most Common English Verbs & Synonyms List (PDF)
2000+ Common Phrasal Verbs List From A-Z (PDF)

Negative Example Sentences 

1. You had not been eating your meal when she came.
2. You had not been running when the bell rang.
3. She had not been watching a movie when they came.
4. I had not been feeling well when they arrived.
5. They had not been working when the boss told them to stop.

Interrogative Example Sentences 

1. Had you been eating your meal when she came?
2. Had the workers been repairing the road all day long?
3. Had the band been performing for hours before taking a break?
4. Had the audience been paying attention to the speaker the entire time?
5. Had the chef been cooking for hours before serving the meal?

Past Perfect Continues Examples PDF

  Past Perfect Progressive Tense Examples PDF – download