Always use had been + verb-ing, for every person. Had goes before the subject in questions.
subject+ had been+ verb-ing
- We had been walking for hours.
- Had you been waiting long?
- They had been wait for an hour.
- They had been waiting for an hour.
Quick Check
Type the answer
One word is in the wrong form. Type the correct form.
She had be working there for a year.
Type the answer
you been waiting long when she came?
Choose the form
They for an hour when it started to rain.
had been playing Had been + -ing.
Type the answer
We had walking for hours.
How long before a past moment
NewUse it with for or since to say how long something had been happening before a point in the past.
subject+ had been+ verb-ing+ for / since+ time
- I had been waiting for an hour when the bus arrived.
- It had been raining since morning, so the field was wet.
- I have been waiting for an hour when the bus arrived.
- I had been waiting for an hour when the bus arrived.
Quick Check
Type the answer
It had been raining the morning, so the field was wet.
Type the answer
One word is in the wrong form. Type the correct form.
They had been talking since three hours.
Choose the form
She for the company for ten years when it closed.
had been working Had been + -ing before the closing.
Put in order
Tap the words in the order of the sentence.
The cause of a past situation
NewUse it to explain a past situation by an activity that had just been happening.
situation+ because+ subject+ had been+ verb-ing
- Her eyes were red because she had been crying.
- He was out of breath because he had been running.
- She was tired because she has been running.
- She was tired because she had been running.
Quick Check
Choose the form
Her eyes were red because she crying.
had been The cause happened before: had been + -ing.
Type the answer
My hands were dirty. I been working in the garden.
Put in order
Tap the words in the order of the sentence.
Type the answer
One word is in the wrong form. Type the correct form.
She was tired because she has been running.
No continuous with state verbs
NewVerbs of knowing, owning and feeling stay in the past perfect simple: had known, not had been knowing.
subject+ had+ known / owned / liked
- I had known her for years before we met in person.
- They had owned a small shop for a long time.
- I had been knowing him for ten years.
- I had known him for ten years.
Quick Check
Type the answer
We had each other for a long time.
Choose the form
I had for the bus for ages when I saw you.
been waiting An activity can be continuous: had been waiting.
Put in order
Tap the words in the order of the sentence.
Type the answer
I had her for years before we met in person.