In this article, we’ll break down the present simple tense, along with examples in every form. We’ve included several tables for you to see all the main rules at a glance.

If you need a refresher on what present simple means? See our verb tenses post for a full breakdown of every verb tense with explanations and examples.

Forming the Present Simple Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Present Simple Tense in All forms

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V → Root Verb

Vs/Ves → Present Simple form for most verbs

Form present simple tense sentences by using the actual root of the word or by adding -s or -es to the third-person singular form.

**Tables use the verb ‘call’ as an example**

There are several verbs where you will add -es instead of just -s to the end. Typically, these verbs end in ch, sh, o, th, ss, z, or gh.

Examples:

• He soothes wounds with his calm voice.
• She coaches the basketball team.
• Joey whizzes past other runners when he’s on the track.
• She washes the dishes every night.
• He presses the button so we can enter the building.
• The president vetoes every bill that comes to his desk.

Making It Negative

To make a present simple verb negative, use this formula: Do/Does + not + Root Form of Verb. You can also use the contraction of Do not or Does not (Don’t or doesn’t) instead.

Examples

• He doesn’t call anymore.
• You don’t need me anymore.
• They don’t want us around.
• Jenny doesn’t go to dance on Tuesdays.

Asking a Question

To ask a question in the present simple, use the formula: Do/Does + subject + Root form of Verb.

Examples:

• Do you call every day?
• Does he want us to stay?
• Does John need anything?
• Do we go with her?

The Verb ‘To Be’ in Present Simple Form

‘To be’ is an irregular verb and has its own form for the present simple tense.

In present simple, as well as other verb tenses, you will consistently see ‘to be’ used in a contracted form as it is the most used verb in the English language.

The rules for using ‘to be’ in negative and question form remain the same (scroll up to the first table in this article). Be aware that negative contractions are also typically used with is not and are not (isn’t / aren’t).

Contracted Present Simple Examples:

• I’m not here.
• He isn’t smart.
• They aren’t going.
• Are you there?
• Is she okay?

When To Apply the Present Simple Tense

Use #1: When describing actions that are repeated or occur on a regular (habitual) basis.

Examples:

• He runs all the time.
• The boxer crushes his competition.
• Johnny plays in his sandbox every afternoon.
• Roberta travels during her summer vacation.

**Note: We generally use the present continuous tense for actions currently in progress.**

Use #2: When showing a statement or fact.

It doesn’t matter if the statement is actually true (people tend to make generalizations), but this is said as something believed to be true in the past, now, and in the future.

Examples:

• Water boils at 100°C.
• I don’t like hummus.
• He believes in astrology.
• Does Gary know that Jupiter is a planet?

**Note: Many statements presented as scientific facts are presented in the present simple tense.**

Use #3: When talking about a scheduled event.

This is commonly used when talking about transportation but can work for other events happening in the near future.

Examples:

• The bus leaves in thirty minutes.
• What time does the plane land?
• This train doesn’t go to New York.
• The ferry arrives at 6.

Use #4: When talking about something happening now.

Though you’ll generally use the present continuous tense when speaking about things that are in progress, there are verbs that are non-continuous or mixed use. In that situation, use the present simple tense.

Examples:

• I am cold.
• He isn’t here at the moment.
• Do you have your wallet?
• Joey needs help!

With a better understanding of the present simple tense, you’ll be able to conjugate quickly and communicate effectively.

Today, we’re going over how to form the past perfect tense and when to use it. For your reference, we’re including examples and several tables, so be sure to bookmark this page if you’re having trouble with this tense. For resources on all 12 verb tenses, visit our main article on verb tenses.

Forming the Past Perfect Tense

Quick Reference Table: The Past Perfect Tense in All forms

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V3 → The third form (Past Participle) of an irregular verb

Ved → Past Participle form for regular verbs

The formula for writing the past perfect tense is: had + past participle.

In most situations, you’ll form the past participle of a verb by adding -ed or -d to the end, but there are many irregular verbs in English.

Examples:

• If I had talked to her before she left, we may not be in this situation.
• After my recital, I saw my parents had taken a lot of pictures.
• When the chaos settled, we noticed the man had stolen a hundred dollars from the register.

Making It Negative

To put the past perfect tense in a negative form, use this formula: Had + not + the past participle. The contraction hadn’t is often used in this case.

Examples

• You hadn’t studied hair styling before you went to beauty school.
• I hadn’t been to Florida before I visited Miami last year.
• We hadn’t heard anything until she started screaming.

Asking a Question

When asking a question in the past perfect, use the formula: Had + subject + past participle

Examples:

• Had you seen the movie before we went last week?
• Had you studied French before you went to Paris?

When To Apply the Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense isn’t used as often as other tenses in casual conversation unless you constantly talk about past events. However, you could hear it a lot in a courtroom or arbitration.

Use #1

When describing something that happened before a certain point in the past.

Examples:

• I couldn’t get through customs because I had lost my passport.
• Jerry was so upset at the time because he had lost his dog.
• She had not seen the documents because she was still in Mexico at the time.
• He had walked in that area many times before they destroyed the path.

Use #2

When speaking about something that happened with duration before something else that happened in the past.

Typically, you’ll use non-continuous verbs with this usage, but there are exceptions.

Examples:

• Dad had used that lawnmower for 15 years before it finally broke down.
• They had feared the foreigners for decades until they finally sat down and had coffee together.
• They didn’t want to upset their daughter with the news of the sale because they had owned the house for nearly 20 years.

**NOTE**

This note is in regard to specific time situations in the past perfect.

Unlike the present perfect tense, if you specify a time for an action, you can still use the past perfect tense. However, this usage isn’t common or even necessary in most situations.

Example:

• She had traveled to Spain once back in 2004 before she decided to move there in 2017.

If the past perfect action happened at a specific moment in time, you could use either the simple past or the past perfect tense. Note that the word ‘before’ or ‘after’ is often used as a conjunction in these sentences.

• She had traveled to Spain once back in 2004 before she decided to move there in 2017. – Correct
• She traveled to Spain once back in 2004 before she decided to move there in 2017. –Correct

But, if you aren’t referring to a specific moment in time, don’t use the simple past. In this case, you would revert to the past perfect.

When Not to Apply the Past Perfect Tense

Answer: When you are NOT trying to make a sequence of events clear.

For example, if a friend asked you what you did after you found a large bag bag of money, he or she would be confused if you replied:

I had returned the bag to its owner.

When you use the past perfect, you imply that something happened next. But in this reply, there’s nothing else said about what happened after the bag was returned. You don’t always have to explicitly mention what else happened, but you need to make it clear through context.

In this example, there is no context, so the past perfect tense makes no sense.

The past perfect tense may not be used as often as other tenses, but it’s very helpful when you want to reflect or speak about events of the past. Can you think of any other uses of this tense? Leave us a comment below!

In this article, we’ll break down how to form and when to use the future perfect tense. For resources on all of the verb tenses, visit our main tenses page.

Forming the Future Perfect Tense

Quick Reference Table: The Future Perfect Tense in All forms

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V3 → the third form (Past Participle) of an irregular verb

Ved → Past Participle form for regular verbs

The formula for the future perfect tense is: will + have + past participle.

Forming the past participle is easy. Just add -ed or -d to the end of most regular verbs. However, English is loaded with irregular verbs.

Examples:

• We will have eaten by the time you get home.
• The group will have finished the project before the funding is cut.
• I will have walked three miles by the time she walks one.

Making It Negative

To use the future perfect tense in a negative form, use this formula: Will + not + have + the past participle.

Examples:

• You will not have spoken to ten thousand people by the time I get back from my trip.
• They will not have beaten the army before the winter weather sets in.
• The store will not have ordered your dress before the ball.

Asking a Question

When asking a question in the future perfect tense, use the formula: Will + subject + have + past participle

Examples:

• Will he have learned to tie his shoes before he plays his next tee ball game?
• Do you think they will have deleted the virus from our system before we return from the holidays?

** A note on ‘Going to’**

It is also possible to use ‘going to’ with am/is/are in this tense.

Example:

• Wow, you are going to have completed your doctoral studies before I even graduate with my bachelor’s degree.

However, this is rarely used in speaking, and you risk being too wordy in writing! But it’s good to know that this form is correct—and you could possibly hear it at some point.

When To Apply the Future Perfect Tense

Use #1: When describing an action that will be completed before another action or point in time in the future.

In other words: an action that will be completed between now and some point of time in the future.

Examples:

• She will have fixed the computer before it’s time for the meeting.
• We will have taken five quizzes by the end of the course.
• You will have visited how many states by the time you turn 35?
• They will not have prepared enough before it’s time for the big game.

**Note: You must have a specific end for an action when using the future perfect tense. If you do not have a specific end, use the simple future tense.**

Use #2: When you’re speaking about something that’s been happening for a while and will continue until another action in the future.

Generally, non-continuous verbs are used in this situation, but there are exceptions.

Examples:

• I will have lived in New York for 16 years before I move next month.
• Claire will have gone to dance class for 8 years as of next Tuesday.

The future perfect tense can be a little tricky. But, if you remember these uses, you’ll be able to recognize it and communicate using the tense effectively.

The following article focuses on forming and using the past continuous tense. For resources on all verb tenses, visit our main verb tenses page.

Forming the Past Continuous Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Past Continuous Tense in All Forms

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Ving → Present Participle

The formula for writing in the past continuous is: past form of ‘to be’ [was, were] + present participle.

Examples:

• I was writing in my journal when the doorbell rang.
• She was walking on the sidewalk when the man stepped in front of her.
• We were celebrating when we heard the fireworks.
• John was yelling at her when his mother interrupted.

Making It Negative

To make the past continuous tense in negative form, use this formula: [was, were] + not + present participle.

Examples:

• I wasn’t working last week.
• They weren’t making an effort.
• I wasn’t paying attention when I was cutting vegetables.
• We weren’t thinking when we decided to steal the bag.

Asking a Question

When asking a question in the past continuous tense, use the formula: [was, were] + subject + present participle.

Examples:

• Was he walking when he twisted his ankle?
• What were you doing last night?
• Were you wearing your red dress last night?

When To Use the Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous is easy to identify in a sentence but can be confusing for ESL speakers when trying to determine when to apply it. The tense has a range of functions that we’ll break down in this section.

Use #1

When describing a continuing state or action that happened in the past. This is usually used to give a reason or context for something.

Examples:

Where was he/she? Or Where were they?

• He was visiting his family in Mexico.
• I think she was taking her kids to school that morning.
• They were eating dinner at Chili’s.

How did you meet?

• We were vacationing in Paris at the same time.
• We met when I was shopping with my mom.
• I was finishing my medical degree, and she was finishing her masters in business.

Use #2

When describing something that was happening continuously in the past, but was interrupted by another action.

Examples:

• The audience was laughing when the comedian fell off the stage.
• We were working in the garden when we heard the gunshots.
• She was reading in her room when she heard a knock at the door.

Use #3

When describing something that was happening at a specific time.

This flips the format of Use #2 and makes the past continuous the interrupter in the sentence.

• At noon, I was waiting in my car.
• Around 2 p.m., he was playing with his daughter.
• This time yesterday, I was working on a puzzle with my grandson.

Use #4

When describing actions happening at the same time in the past.

Examples:

• I was cutting vegetables while he was grilling the steaks.
• Joey was playing on his phone while Timmy was running around in circles.
• What were you doing when your brother was sneaking into the house?

Use #5

When describing an atmosphere that existed in the past.

Examples:

• The moon was glowing brightly that night.
• The river was flowing rapidly last spring.
• When I walked into the restaurant, waiters were walking around aimlessly, and the hostess was talking on the phone.

Use #6

When expressing irritation. Used with “always” or “constantly”

• She was always talking on her phone during class.
• He was constantly walking through the room during our meeting.
• They were always stealing from the convenience store.

When Not To Use It

It may seem obvious, but one of the biggest pitfalls of using the past continuous tense is using it with a non-continuous verb.

• I was needing to go to the store when my daughter ran inside screaming about the cut on her finger. – Incorrect
  • I needed to go to the store when my daughter ran inside screaming about the cut on her finger. – Correct

Now you know how to use the past continuous tense in English!

In this article, we will review and break down the Past Simple tense. We’ve included several tables so you can easily see how to create past simple sentences if you need a reminder. And, for tables and resources of verb tenses in every form, check out our main article on verb tenses.

Forming the Past Simple Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Simple Present Tense in All forms

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V → Root Verb

V2 → the second form (Past Simple) of an irregular verb

Ved → Past form for regular verbs

Form this tense with regular verbs by adding -ed or -d to the root verb.

However, English has a long list of irregular verbs (over 200) with their own forms. Some verbs in the past tense will remain exactly the same as their root form.

Other irregular verbs are even more unpredictable.

The positive aspect to verbs in the Past Simple tense is that they do not have to agree with the subject regarding numbers.

Examples:

• I called my mom last night.
• After I called my mom, everyone else called their mom as well.

Making It Negative

To make a Past Simple verb negative, use this formula: Did + not + Root Form of Verb. You can also use the contraction of did not (didn’t) instead.

Examples

• He did not call anymore.
• You didn’t go to the store.
• They did not ask us to go with them.
• Jerry didn’t run in the marathon last month.

Asking a Question

To ask a question in the Past Simple, use the formula: Did + subject + root form of the verb.

Examples:

• Did you call every day?
• Did he want us to stay or go?
• Did John need to be at the meeting?
• Did we go to the movies last week?

‘To Be’ (or Not ‘To Be’)

‘To be’ is the most-used verb in the English language and was probably the first you learned when you started your English learning journey. It’s important to note that ‘to be’ is also an irregular verb. Use the table below when you’re not sure of which form to use in the Past Simple tense.

The rules for using ‘to be’ in negative and question form remain the same (scroll up to the first table in this article). Note that the contractions wasn’t and weren’t could be used in place of was not and were not.

Examples:

• I wasn’t here.
• They weren’t smart.
• Were you there?
• Was she okay?

When to Use Past Simple Tense

Use #1

When describing things that were completed in the past or existed before the present.

For example, if I wanted to tell you what happened when my friend Johnny and his band visited last week, I would use sentences like:

• Johnny and his group arrived around 3 p.m.
• Their show was at 9.
• My parents screamed when they heard the news about the show.
• We all went to the concert together.
• It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

When using the Past Simple tense, you’re describing an action that happened in the past and is finished.

**Note: Use the past continuous tense if you want to emphasize that the action was in progress.**

Use #2

When describing something that happened for a duration of time in the past but stopped.

Durations are longer actions that happen over a period of time. They’re often used with time indicators like for three years, for 20 minutes, all day, all night, etc.

Examples:

• I waited for 30 minutes.
• Emily lived in China for five years.
• We worked all day.
• They searched all night.

Use #3

When describing an old habit from the past.

This usage is often accompanied by time indicators like never, when, always, often, usually, etc…

Examples:

• I studied Spanish when I was in high school.
• We often walked the dogs in the afternoon.
• Cheryl usually baked cakes on Tuesdays.
• Did you play football when you were in grade school?

Use #4

When talking about past facts or generalizations

Use the Past Simple tense to describe something that was factual but is no longer true.

Examples:

• Johnny was timid, but loosened up when his mother smiled at him.
• She didn’t like guacamole when she was young.

Knowing the verb conjugations in the Past Simple tense is must-have knowledge for effective communication. Keep practicing, and you will get the hang of it!

In this article, we’ll dissect the future perfect continuous tense and provide some common applications. We’ve included several tables for your reference. Visit our Verb Tenses article for breakdowns and resources on every verb tense.

Forming the Future Perfect Continuous Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Future Perfect Continuous Tense in All Forms

KEY

Ving → Present Participle

The formula for writing the future perfect continuous tense is: will + have + been + present participle.

Examples:

• When I’m forty, I will have been writing for 36 years.
• Next July, we will have been working on the project for nine months.
• At 10 p.m., Sergio will have been painting for seven hours.

**Going to**

It is possible to use am/is/are + going to instead of will in the future perfect continuous tense.

Example:

• He’s going to have been wandering in the woods for nearly 30 hours when morning arrives.

The form is correct but rarely heard.

Making It Negative

To make the negative form, use this formula: will + not + have + been + present participle.

Examples:

• I will not have been waiting there for 30 minutes when you arrive.
• She will not have been standing very long before the chair arrives.
• They will not have been running for very long when the water arrives.

Asking a Question

When asking a question, use the formula: will + subject + have + been + present participle.

Examples:

• Will she have been standing for very long when her chair arrives?
• How long will they have been running when the water arrives?

When To Use the Future Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense isn’t used as often as other tenses, but it is still important to know. You’ll need it to convey predictions, assumptions, and useful information in certain situations.

You use this tense when placing yourself in the future to talk about something that will happen. Try to bring that visual into each use of the tense.

Use #1

When describing an action that began in the past and will continue to a certain time in the future.

Examples:

• The president will have been speaking for nearly 2 hours when the ambassador arrives.
• Joe will have been working for BP for 40 years when his division shuts down next Fall.
• He will have been attending classes for over 400 consecutive school days by the time he graduates in May.

Use #2

When describing a cause and effect relationship in the future.

• Chad will be exhausted when he gets off work because he will have been working for 40 straight hours.
• Elinor’s dance routine will be perfect by the time the competition arrives. She will have been practicing for over 8 weeks.

When Not To Use It

The future perfect continuous can not be used with non-continuous or stative verbs.

• I will have been seeing 45 movies by the time Christmas arrives. – Incorrect
  • I will have seen 45 movies by the time Christmas arrives. – Correct

Now you know how to use the future perfect continuous tense in English! 🙂

In this article, we’ll dissect the future simple tense in every form and provide some common applications. We’ve included several tables for your reference. And, for a breakdown of verb tenses in every form, visit our Verb Tenses article.

Forming the Future Simple Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Future Simple Tense in All forms

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V → Root Verb

The formula for using the future simple tense is: will + verb [root form] OR [am, is, are] + going to + verb [root form].

It’s important to note that the ‘going to’ version of the tense is more casual and wouldn’t be used in formal situations. However, you will hear it often in common speech.

The beauty of the tense is that it doesn’t matter what person you’re speaking in. It also doesn’t matter whether the subject is singular or plural. You always use the root form of the verb.

Examples:

• I will go to the store later today.
• We are going to find your keys.
• She will paint your picture next week.
• Jessie is going to leave your book by the door.
• Harry is going to purchase a new car next year.

Making It Negative

To make a future simple verb negative, use this formula: will not/won’t + verb [root form] OR [am, is, are] + not + going to + verb [root form].

Examples:

• I will not go there anymore.
• David isn’t going to ride with us.
• Jerry won’t testify in court next week.
• They aren’t going to see us next month.

Asking a Question

To ask a question in the future simple, use the formula: Will + subject + verb [root form] OR

Am/Is/Are + Subject + going to + verb [root form]

Examples:

• Are you going to run today?
• Will he testify?
• Is she going to leave tomorrow?
• Am I going to see you next week?

When To Use the Future Simple Tense

This section includes four common uses for the tense with examples for your reference. The will and am/is/are going to constructions could be used almost interchangeably in many situations.

Can you think of other situations where you would use the future simple tense? Leave a comment below!

Use #1

When describing an action you intend to volunteer for.

Examples:

• I’ll send a letter when I arrive.
• We’re going to help you move tomorrow.
• Will you help me do my homework?
• She’s not going to do it for us.

Use #2

When speaking about a promise.

Examples:

• I will be there at 9.
• He’ll make sure you arrive on time.
• Betty won’t tell him about your crush.
• Is he going to tell her about our little secret?

Use #3

When talking about future plans.

Examples:

• I’m going to take a bus when I go.
• Will Jenny fix the computer for us when she comes back?
• I’m not going to see her next week.
• The ferry will arrive at 10 p.m.

Use #4

When you want to express a prediction

Examples:

• Next year is going to be the best year ever!
• We’re going to celebrate when we win the big game.
• He’s going to win many awards throughout his career.
• Jenny will be the next Meryl Streep.

Understanding the future simple tense will help you communicate effectively and express hopes and desires for the future.

In this article we’ll break down the forms and application of the future continuous tense. Visit our main verb tenses page for resources on all verb tenses.

Forming the Past Continuous Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Past Continuous Tense in All Forms

KEY

Ving → Present Participle

The formula for the future continuous tense is: will + be + present participle.

Examples:

• What are you doing tomorrow? I will be debating in the competition.
• John will be debating against Sharon in the debate tomorrow.
• What are you doing tonight? I will be watching John and Sharon debate this evening.

**Going to be**

It is possible to use am/is/are + going to instead of will in the future continuous tense.

Example:

• I’m going to be watching the Super Bowl with my family this evening.

The form is correct—and you will definitely hear it. However, it is used more frequently in colloquial speech by saying ‘gonna be’ instead of ‘going to’.

Example:

• Sue: Hey, what are you up to tonight?Mary: I’m gonna be working at the restaurant all night.

The ‘Going to’ form isn’t used very often in formal writing, and ‘gonna be’ is not appropriate in a formal situation.

Making It Negative

To make the future continuous tense in negative form, use this formula: will + not + be + present participle.

Examples:

• I will not be calling her this evening.
• We will not be driving tomorrow.
• John will not be opening the restaurant in the morning.

Asking a Question

When asking a question in the future continuous tense, use the formula: will + subject + be + present participle.

Examples:

• Will they be waiting for us when we arrive?
• What will I be doing when I arrive?
• What will they be wearing to the wedding?
• Will it be snowing when we get there?

When To Use the Future Continuous Tense

The simple definition of the future continuous tense is that it indicates an action that will happen in the future and continue for a certain amount of time. However, there are many contexts of that indication that we will dissect in this section.

Use #1

When describing an action that will happen in the future, continue, and then be interrupted by another action.

Examples:

• Can you answer the door in 5 min.? I’ll be cooking when she arrives.
• I’ll be waiting here when you arrive.
• We will be staying at an AirBnb, so contact the owner of the property if anything happens.

Use #2

When using a continuous action in the future that will happen at a specific time.

Similar to Use #1 this puts the use of the future continuous as the interrupting action.

Examples:

• At Noon, I will be eating lunch with my daughter.
• Around 6, we’ll be watching a movie with our kids.
• Tomorrow morning, she’ll be writing some more chapters of her book.

Use #3

When describing actions happening at the same time in the future.

Examples:

• While they’re talking, I’ll be watching their dog.
• Tomorrow I will be helping my mother at her house, and he’ll be watching the kids at home.

This is a prime example of a possible colloquial use of ‘gonna be’ in this context.

What are you two doing tomorrow?

I’m going to be helping my mother at her house, and he’s going to be watching the kids.

Use #4

When describing an atmosphere that may or may not exist in the future.

Examples:

• When we get to the game, everyone will be shouting and yelling.
• I can see it now. Everyone will be laughing at me.
• I don’t want to go to the funeral. Everyone will be crying and telling old stories.

When Not To Use It

Don’t use the future continuous tense with stative/non-continuous verbs.

• I will be needing to go to the store later today because we’re almost out of bread. – Incorrect
• I need to go to the store later today because we’re almost out of bread. – Correct

That’s all you need to know for the future continuous tense!

In this article, we define and break down the usage of the present perfect continuous tense. For information and resources on all verb tenses, visit our main page on the 12 English Verb Tenses.

Forming the Present Perfect Continuous Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense in All Forms

KEY

Ving → Present Participle

The formula for writing the present perfect continuous tense is: has/have + been + present participle.

Examples:

• I’ve been relaxing in the park after work lately.
• He has been organizing his spreadsheet every day to become more efficient.
• We’ve been going to dance lessons to prepare for the wedding.
• They have been working on a project to reduce the amount of trash in the area.
• Susan has been writing a new draft of the script.

Making It Negative

To make the present perfect continuous tense in negative form, use this formula: Has/Have + not + been + present participle.

Examples:

• She hasn’t been practicing her pronunciation.
• He has not been feeling well.
• Julie has not been taking her dog to the park lately.

Asking a Question

When asking a question in the present perfect continuous tense, use the formula: Has/Have + subject + been + present participle.

Examples:

• Have you been feeling well?
• Has she been talking to her mother?
• Have they been practicing their steps?

When To Use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Use #1

When describing an action that began in the past and has continued into the present (not completed) with a specified duration.

Examples:

• He has been working in the garden for the past 30 minutes.
• She has been typing her paper for the last hour.
• Timmy has been standing in the corner for the past two hours.
• Tom hasn’t been working since 9 a.m.!
• Have you been standing there since 7?

Use #2

When describing an action that began in the past and has continued into the present (not completed) without a specified duration.

However, when using this tense without a specific duration, ‘lately’ or ‘recently’ are implied. When you review the examples, add those time indicators in your head either before or after the sentence to see how they make sense.

Examples:

• I’ve been feeling down.
• I haven’t been feeling like myself.
• She has been running all over the place.
• Have you been watching too much news?
• Bart hasn’t been practicing his skateboarding skills.

When Not To Use It

Don’t use this tense with a non-continuous verb.

• He has been being angry lately. – Incorrect
  • He has been angry lately. – Correct

That’s all you need to know for the present perfect continuous tense! Keep practicing and you will master this verb tense.

This article focuses on the past perfect continuous tense. To see resources and breakdowns of each verb tense, visit the 12 English Verb Tenses page.

Forming the Past Perfect Continuous Tense (with Tables)

Quick Reference Table: The Past Perfect Continuous Tense in All Forms

KEY

Ving → Present Participle

The formula for writing the past perfect continuous tense is: had + been + present participle.

Examples:

• We had been walking on the path when a deer crossed in front of us.
• He had been practicing for months when he finally got the call for the audition.
• Jared had been pitching the entire game before his arm finally gave out.
• Brittany had been working for the company for a decade when they laid her off.
• The dogs had been hunting all evening when they finally spotted a rabbit.

Making It Negative

To make the past perfect continuous tense in negative form, use this formula: Had + not + been + present participle.

Examples:

• I had not been studying English for very long before I moved to America.
• He hadn’t been working there very long before they decided to lay off 1,000 workers.
• Sarah hadn’t been attending class very often when the accident happened.

Asking a Question

When asking a question in the past perfect continuous tense, use the formula: Had + subject + been + present participle.

Examples:

• Had you been waiting long when he arrived?
• Had she been speaking for a while when they showed up?
• Had Joey been attending class very often when the accident occured?

When To Use the Past Perfect Continuous Tense

This tense is very similar to the present perfect continuous tense because they both start with an action that begins in the past. However, to use the past perfect continuous tense, the action must have ended at a certain point in the past.

Use #1

When describing an action that began in the past and continued to another point of time in the past.

Examples:

• She had been speaking for nearly an hour before her father arrived.
• They had been working for three days before they were fed.
• We had been walking for five miles before we noticed we forgot my little brother.
• Stephanie hadn’t been working for thirty minutes when the robbers entered the bank.
• Had you been waiting long when the bus arrived?

Use #2

When describing the cause and effect of something from the past.

• Grandma was tired because she had been watching the kids all day.
• Terry was bored because he had been typing for 4 hours.
• He did well on his exam because he had been studying for months.

When Not To Use It

Continuous tenses can’t be used with non-continuous verbs. However, there are many verbs that can be both in different situations.

• She had been wanting to leave until Jenny showed up. – Incorrect
  • She had wanted to leave until Jenny showed up – Correct

Also, it’s important to note that without a time duration, most speakers will use the past continuous tense instead of the past perfect continuous. However, this can change the meaning of the sentence.

The past continuous is used to emphasize an interrupted action in the present, but the past perfect continuous is used to emphasize the duration of time before something else that happens. Look at these examples:

• She was exhausted because she was working so much.

This sentence implies that she is exhausted because she is working at the moment.

• She was exhausted because she had been working so much.

This sentence implies that she is exhausted because she had been working over a period of time. She could still be working or she could be finished.