A Quick Comparison: Past Simple Progressive vs. Past Perfect Progressive

Before delving into the Past Perfect Progressive form, it is essential to understand the distinction between Past Simple Progressive and Past Perfect Progressive.

The Past Simple Progressive refers to an action or event that was ongoing in the past but holds no relevance to the present. For example, in Turkish, “Dün akşam yürüyordum.” (Yesterday evening I was walking.)

On the other hand, the Past Perfect Progressive tense signifies a past action that continued until another past event occurred. For instance, “Kitap okurken uykuya daldım.” (I fell asleep while reading a book.)

Forming the Past Perfect Progressive in Turkish

The essential components of the Past Perfect Progressive tense in Turkish are the verb stem, the suffix “yor,” the past tense marker “du/idi,” and personal suffixes. Let’s break down the formation of the Past Perfect Progressive tense using a straightforward example:

Example verb: gel (to come)

• Verb stem: gel
• Progressive suffix: yor
• Past tense marker: du/idi
• Personal suffix: –ım (first person singular)

Combining these elements results in the conjugated verb “Geliyordum” (I was coming).

Conjugations of Past Perfect Progressive in Turkish

Below, you will find the conjugation table for the Past Perfect Progressive tense of the verb “gel” (to come) in Turkish.

Using Past Perfect Progressive Tense in Sentences

Now that you have familiarized yourself with conjugations, take a look at these example sentences using verbs in the Past Perfect Progressive tense:

• Ben yemek pişiriyordum. (I was cooking a meal.)
• Ali ders çalışıyordu. (Ali was studying.)
• Ahmet ve Zeynep sinemada buluşuyorlardı. (Ahmet and Zeynep were meeting at the cinema.)
• Biz otobüs bekliyorduk. (We were waiting for the bus.)

Final Thoughts on Past Perfect Progressive in Turkish Grammar

The Past Perfect Progressive tense is a vital component of Turkish grammar, allowing effective and accurate communication about continuous actions or events within the past. By mastering the verb structure, conjugations, and understanding the distinction between Past Simple Progressive and Past Perfect Progressive, you can excel in your Turkish language proficiency, better understand nuances, and ultimately rank your understanding of the language to new heights.