The Past Perfect Progressive Tense is an important aspect of English grammar that helps convey actions or events that were in progress before another event or action occurred. This tense is formed using the auxiliary verbs “had” and “been” followed by the present participle of the main verb (ending in -ing). It helps us understand the duration and continuity of events in the past, and it is often used to emphasise the cause and effect relationship between two past events. In this set of exercises, we will practice using the Past Perfect Progressive Tense to express different situations and contexts. Good luck!
Past Perfect Progressive Exercise 1
Before the rain started, she *had been playing* (play) soccer outside.
When I arrived at the party, they *had been dancing* (dance) for hours.
She was so tired because she *had been studying* (study) all night.
They *had been living* (live) in that house for ten years before they moved.
He *had been waiting* (wait) for her at the bus stop for twenty minutes.
By the time she finished her chores, she *had been working* (work) for three hours.
Before he got a new job, he *had been looking* (look) for one for months.
When I called her, she *had been cooking* (cook) dinner for her family.
She *had been practicing* (practice) the piano for years before her first concert.
They *had been dating* (date) for a year before they got engaged.
Before the trip, she *had been learning* (learn) French for two years.
When we got to the beach, the sun *had been shining* (shine) for hours.
Before he started his own business, he *had been working* (work) in marketing.
She *had been painting* (paint) her room all day before she finished.
They *had been traveling* (travel) around Asia for six months before they returned home.
Past Perfect Progressive Exercise 2
Before the concert began, the band *had been setting* (set) up their equipment.
When the movie started, we *had been waiting* (wait) in line for an hour.
They *had been arguing* (argue) for a while before they finally resolved the issue.
She *had been training* (train) for the marathon for months before the race.
Before they adopted their dog, they *had been researching* (research) different breeds.
He *had been writing* (write) his novel for two years before it was published.
When I saw her, she *had been crying* (cry) because of the sad movie.
Before they sold their car, they *had been fixing* (fix) it up for weeks.
She *had been planning* (plan) the party for a month before it happened.
When the storm hit, they *had been preparing* (prepare) their home for days.
Before they moved to the city, they *had been living* (live) in the countryside.
He *had been reading* (read) the book for a week before he finished it.
When I met her, she *had been teaching* (teach) English for five years.
Before the game started, the players *had been warming* (warm) up on the field.
She *had been running* (run) every day for a month before the race.
