Grammar · Past & Perfect Tenses
Past Perfect Continuous
Had been doing or had done? Learn how to describe an action that was still in progress up to a moment in the past, with the film The Others.
Grammar › Past & Perfect Tenses › Past Perfect Continuous
The rule in one sentenceUse had been + -ing for an activity that was in progress up to a moment in the past, and had + past participle for an action that was already complete by that moment.
About the film
The Others is a 2001 gothic mystery directed by Alejandro Amenábar, set on the island of Jersey in 1945, just after the Second World War. Grace Stewart, played by Nicole Kidman, lived in a huge, gloomy house with her two children, Anne and Nicholas, who could not be exposed to strong daylight. When three new servants arrived – Mrs Mills, Mr Tuttle and a quiet young woman called Lydia – Grace had been teaching the children at home, and she immediately explained her strictest rule: every curtain must stay closed.
What does it do?
Sometimes a story jumps back from one past moment to an even earlier one. If the earlier action was a process – something that continued for a while – English uses had been + -ing. It paints a picture of an activity in motion, and it often tells us how long that activity had lasted.
If the earlier action was simply finished, with a clear result, English uses had + past participle instead. The difference is not about time, because both forms point to the same earlier past. It is about focus: the process, or the completed result.
Look at the time phrases. For an hour and all morning measure the length of an activity, so had been + -ing feels natural. Before and by lunchtime mark a deadline for a finished job, which suits had + past participle.
In speech, had is almost always shortened:
When Grace walked in, Lydia had been cleaning the room. (there was still dust in the air and a bucket on the floor)
When Grace walked in, Lydia had cleaned the room. (the job was done and everything was spotless)
Same room, same moment, two different pictures. The first sentence shows the traces of an activity; the second shows a finished result.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
had been + -ing — the activity
Nicholas had been crying before his mother came upstairs.
The children hadn’t been sleeping well, so Grace was worried.
hadn’t been + verb-ingHad Anne been listening to the lesson?
Had + subject + been + verb-inghad + past participle — the result
Grace had drawn the curtains before the lesson began.
Mr Tuttle hadn’t finished the garden by dinner time.
hadn’t + past participleHad Lydia closed the curtains in the music room?
Had + subject + past participleWhen to use each one
had been + -ing
had + past participle
Words that help: process or result?
Time expressions usually give the game away. Phrases that measure a length of time point to the activity; words that mark a deadline or a total point to the result.
had been + -ing → the activity and how long
had + past participle → the finished result
Common mistakes
❌ Anne was reading for an hour when her mother called her.
✅ Anne had been reading for an hour when her mother called her.
An activity that lasted up to an earlier past moment needs had been + -ing, not was + -ing.
❌ Nicholas had been wanting a new book for weeks.
✅ Nicholas had wanted a new book for weeks.
Want describes a state, not an activity, so it does not normally take the -ing form.
❌ Mr Tuttle had been work in the garden all day.
✅ Mr Tuttle had been working in the garden all day.
After had been, the main verb always needs its -ing ending.
❌ Lydia has been cleaning for hours when Grace found her.
✅ Lydia had been cleaning for hours when Grace found her.
The later moment is in the past, so use had, not has.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
Reported speech often creates this form. When you report something that someone said with have been + -ing, the verb usually moves one step back into the past, and it becomes had been + -ing. You will meet this constantly in novels, news reports and film reviews.
✅ “I’ve been practising the piano all morning,” said Anne. (her exact words)
✅ Anne said that she had been practising the piano all morning. (reported later)
In relaxed conversation, people sometimes keep the original tense if the situation is still true, but the step back is the safe choice in writing.
Practice: choose the right form
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Anne ___ for an hour when Grace called her.
The activity lasted up to a past moment, so use had been + -ing.
2. By lunchtime, Lydia ___ three rooms.
A number of finished jobs points to the result → had + past participle.
3. Mr Tuttle’s hands were dirty because he ___ in the garden.
The dirt is evidence of an earlier activity → had been + -ing.
4. Nicholas ___ a new book for weeks.
Want is a state verb, so it stays in the simple form.
5. ___ Grace ___ the curtains before the children came down?
The question form is Had + subject + past participle.
6. Grace was exhausted. She ___ the children all morning.
All morning measures a long activity, so the -ing form fits best.
7. When Grace came in, Lydia ___ the room, and it looked perfect.
The room looked perfect, so we focus on the finished result.
8. Mrs Mills ___ tea for ten minutes when Grace rang the bell.
After had been, the verb needs -ing.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Each one shows an activity that was in progress up to a moment in the past. Say it out loud too!
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