Past Perfect Continuous

Practice Exercise on Past Perfect Continuous

(had been + present participle)

Past Perfect Continuous

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Question 1

The dog ___ ____ _____ the rabbit when it ran down it's hole.

A	had chased
B	was chasing
C	has been chasing
D	had been chasing

Question 1 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 2

Bobby miss the train because he ___ ____ _____ too slow to the station.

A	has been walking
B	have been walking
C	had walked
D	had been walking

Question 2 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 3

Linda failed the class because she ____ ____ _______ to the teacher.

A	was always listening
B	wasn't listening
C	hadn't listened
D	had not been listening

Question 3 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 4

How long ___ the baby ____ _______ before the ambulance arrived?

A	was the baby cryng
B	has the baby been crying
C	did the baby cry
D	had the baby been crying

Question 4 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 5

You did great on the exam because you ___ _____ ______ to the teacher.

A	have always listened
B	had been listening
C	were listening
D	was listening

Question 5 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 6

Lucy _____ _____ ______ at the factory for only two months when it went out of business.

A	had been worked
B	had been working
C	was working
D	will be working

Question 6 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 7

Martha ____ _____ _________ her English for two hours before her class started.

A	had been practiced
B	have practiced
C	has been practicing
D	had been practicing

Question 7 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 8

I ____ _____ ______ very long when you called.

A	haven't slept
B	had't been sleeping
C	hasn't been sleeping
D	have not been sleeping

Question 8 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 9

She ___ ____ _______ for only ten minutes when it started to rain.

A	was only gardening
B	has just gardened
C	has been gardening
D	had been gardening

Question 9 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 10

Karen gained a lot of weight because she ___ ____ _______ over the holidays.

A	has been overeating
B	has eating everything
C	had been overeating
D	have overeaten

Question 10 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 11

She ___ ____ ______ of her Prince long before he showed up on horseback.

A	had been dreaming
B	have been dreaming
C	has dreamed
D	often dreams

Question 11 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 12

___ you ______ ______ anything before you got sick?

A	Did you eat
B	Have you ate
C	Had you been eating
D	have you been eating

Question 12 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 13

Carlos ____ ___ ______ for six hours when he caught his first fish.

A	will be fishing
B	has been fishing
C	has fished
D	had been fishing

Question 13 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 14

How long ____ you ____ ______ English before you took the IELTS Exam?

A	had you been studying
B	have you been studying
C	has you been studied
D	had you been studied

Question 14 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Question 15

Mariya ____ _____ ______ for three years before she felt confident enough to perform in front of people.

A	had been dancing
B	has been dancing
C	has danced
D	will be dancing

Question 15 Explanation:

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. Unlike the Present Perfect Continuous, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

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There are 15 questions to complete.