Past Perfect Continuous Tense | English Grammar Advanced - Class 10 PDF Download

Understanding the Past Perfect Continuous Tense

The Past Perfect Continuous Tense describes an action that began before a specific moment in the past and continued up until that moment.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula for First Person Singular

The formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the First Person is Singular is that the sentence starts with ‘I’ and ‘had been’, then a verb in its 1st form with ‘ing’, followed by an object which is optional.

So, we can say that the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense for First Person Singular is as follows: ‘I’ + had + been+ verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the First Person is Singular:

1) I had been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहा था।

2) I had been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब मैं खाना खा रहा था।

3) I  had been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी मैं सो रहा था।

Negative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not’ before the 1st form of the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘I’ + ‘had’ + not + been + verb ( 1 st form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the First Person is Singular:
1) I had not been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था।

2) I had not been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब मैं खाना नहीं खा रहा था।

3) I  had not been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी मैं नहीं सो रहा था ।

Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Had’ at the start of the sentence followed by the subject  and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + [subject] + been + verb (1st form) with+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Person is Singular:

1) Had I been studying hard for exams?
क्या मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहा था?

2) Had I been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब मैं खाना खा रहा था?

3) Had I been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी, मैं सो रहा था?

Negative Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Had ’at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

had + [subject] + not  been+ verb (1st form) with ing+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Person is Singular:

1) Had I not been studying hard for exams?
क्या मैं परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था?

2) Had I not been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब मैं खाना नहीं खा रहा था?

3) Had I not been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी, मैं सो नहीं रहा था?

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula for First Person Plural

The formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the First Person is Plural are that the sentence starts with ‘We’ and had been, then a verb in its 1st form followed by an object which is optional. So, we can say that the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense for First Person Plural is as follows -

‘We’ + had + been+ verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the First Person is Plural:

1) We had been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब हम  परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे।

2) We had been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब हम खाना खा रहे थे।

3) We had been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी हम सो रहे थे ।

Negative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not been’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘We’ + had + not been + verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional).

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the First Person is Plural:

1) We had not been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे।

2) We had not been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब हम खाना नहीं खा रहे थे।

3) We had not been sleeping when the bell rang.

जब घंटी बजी, हम सो नहीं रहे थे ।

Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘had’  at the start of the sentence followed by the subject and the rest of the rule remains the same.

had +  We been + verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Had we been studying hard for exams at that time?
क्या तब हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे?

2) Had we been eating food when she came?
क्या  जब वह आई तब हम खाना खा रहे थे?

3) Had we been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी, हम सो रहे थे ?

Negative Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ’had’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not been’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + [subject] + not been+ verb (1st form) with ing+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of negative interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Had we not been studying hard for exams at that time?
क्या तब हम परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे?

2) Had we not been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब हम खाना नहीं खा रहे थे?

3) Had we not been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी, हम सो नहीं रहे थे?

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula for Second Person

The formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when there is a Second Person involved are that the sentence starts with ‘you’ and ‘had been’, then a verb in its 1st  form with ing, followed by an object which is optional.

So, we can say that the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when a Second Person is involved is as follows:

‘You’ + had + been+ verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when a Second Person is involved:

1) You had been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे।

2) You had been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब आप खाना खा रहे थे।

3) You had been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी आप सो रहे थे ।

Negative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘had not’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

‘You’ + had + not been+ verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when there is a second person:

1) You had not been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे।

2) You had not been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब आप खाना नहीं खा रहे थे।

3) You had not been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी आप सो नहीं रहे थे ।

Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘had’  at the start of the sentence followed by ‘you been’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + you + been+ verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when there is a Second Person Involved:

1) Had you been studying hard for exams?
क्या आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे?

2) Had you been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब आप खाना खा रहे थे?

3) Had you been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी, आप सो रहे थे?

Negative Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Had’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + you + not been + verb(1st  form) with ing+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when there is a second person involved:

1) Had you not been studying hard for exams?
क्या आप परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे?

2) Had you not been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब आप खाना नहीं खा रहे थे?

3) Had you not been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी, आप सो नहीं रहे थे?

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula for Third Person Singular

The formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular are that the sentence starts with He, She, Common noun or proper noun with ‘had’, then a verb in its 1st form with ing  followed by an object which is optional.

So, we can say that the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense for Third Person Singular is as follows:

He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns + had + been+ verb(1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) He had been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहा था।

2) Ram had been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब राम खाना खा रहा था।

3) She had been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी वह सो रही थी ।

Negative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns + had + not been+ verb (1st  form) with ‘ing’ + object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) He had not been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था।

2) Ram had not been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब राम खाना नहीं खा रहा था।

3) She had not been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी वह सो नहीं रही थी ।

Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘had’ at the start of the sentence followed by He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + subject( He/ She / Common Nouns / Proper Nouns) + been + verb (1st form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) Had he been studying hard for exams at that time?
क्या तब वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहा था?

2) Had Ram been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब राम खाना खा रहा था?

3) Had she been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी वह सो रही थी ?

Negative Interrogative Sentences

For converting these sentences into negative interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Had’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + subject (He/ She/ Common Nouns/ Proper Nouns) + not been + verb (1st form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of negative interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Singular:

1) Had he not been studying hard for exams at that time?
क्या तब वह परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहा था?

2) Had Ram not been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब राम खाना नहीं खा रहा था?

3) Had she not been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी वह सो नहीं रही थी ?

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Formula for Third Person Plural

The formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural are that the sentence starts with ‘They’ or common nouns and ‘had’, then a verb in its 1st form followed by an object which is optional

So, we can say that the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense for Third Person Plural is as follows: They/ Common Nouns + had been + verb (1st form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some example sentences with formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) They had been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब वे  परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे।

2) Boys had been eating food when she came .
जब वह आई तब लड़के खाना खा रहे थे।

3) They had been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी वे  सो रहे थे ।

Negative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative sentences the formula is that you add ‘not been’ before the verb and the rest of the rule remains the same.

They/ Common Nouns + had + not been + verb (1st form) with ‘ing’+ object (optional)

Let us see some examples of negative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) They had not been studying hard for exams at that time.
तब वे  परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे।

2) Boys had not been eating food when she came.
जब वह आई तब लड़के खाना नहीं खा रहे थे।

3) They had not been sleeping when the bell rang.
जब घंटी बजी वे  सो नहीं रहे थे ।

Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Had’ at the start of the sentence followed by ‘They/ Common nouns’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + they/ common nouns + been+ verb (1st form) with ing + object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Had they been studying hard for exams at that time?
क्या तब वे  परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन कर रहे थे?

2) Had boys been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब लड़के खाना खा रहे थे?

3) Had they been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी वे  सो रहे थे?

Negative Interrogative Sentences
For converting these sentences into negative interrogative sentences the formula is that you add ‘Had’ at the start of the sentence, then the subject and then ‘not’ and the rest of the rule remains the same.

Had + they/ common nouns + not  been+ verb (1st form) with + object (optional)?

Let us see some examples of negative interrogative sentences with the formula for Past Perfect Continuous Tense when the Third Person is Plural:

1) Had they not been studying hard for exams at that time?
क्या तब वे  परीक्षा के लिए कठिन अध्ययन नहीं कर रहे थे?

2) Had boys not been eating food when she came?
क्या जब वह आई तब लड़के खाना नहीं  खा रहे थे?

3) Had they not been sleeping when the bell rang?
क्या जब घंटी बजी वे  सो नहीं  रहे थे?

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE EXERCISES

Q. Translate the following sentences in past perfect continuous tense exercises and check the answers.
1. क्या मैं चार बजे से सो रही थी?

2. हम चार दिनों से रोटी नहीं खा रहे थे।

3. सुबह से बारिश हो रही थी।

4. रीटा पाँछ वर्षों से नृत्य सीख रही थी।

5. वे १९८४ से इस घर में रह रहे थे।

 Answers:
1. Had I been sleeping since four o’clock?

2. We had not been eating food for four days.

3. It had been raining since morning.

4. Rita had been learning dance for five years.

5. They had been living in this house since 1984.