VC4.1 – Past-Perfect-Continuous-1. We begin the lesson with a quick review of the past perfect simple using a timeline (two events in the past, one completed before another one). We then explain that the past perfect continuous is used to stress duration, or to express an activity that was occurring close in time to another activity: "I composed music over the last twelve years, but almost quit for many reasons" You are right about past simple sounding awkward here. "over the last 12 years" means the 12 years up to now, which means present perfect or past continuous (was composing) can sound more natural (past simple in the first part is okay, but would perhaps be better with "for the last 12 years"). The simple past and the past progressive, also past continuous, are used to express actions in the past, however each has a different function. The simple past expresses completed, sequential actions in the past and is therefore the main narrative form. The past progressive expresses actions that were in progress at a specific point in the past future perfect; I: will have driven: you: will have driven: he, she, it: will have driven: we: will have driven: you: will have driven: they: will have driven How to Form the Past Perfect Continuous Tense. Using Time Expressions with the Past Perfect Continuous Tense. Using the Past Perfect Continuous Tense to Talk about the Cause of a Past Event. Examples of the Past Perfect Continuous Tense. Negative and Interrogative Sentences in the Past Perfect Continuous Tense. Exercise 2 – Change the tense. Go through the sentences and change their tenses as directed. The boy speaks the truth. (Present Continuous Tense) Mr Cooper has spoken about Dinosaurs. (Present Perfect Continuous Tense) The boat sailed yesterday. (Simple Present Tense) Amy went to school yesterday. .

time signal past perfect continuous tense