B2 Grammar: Past Perfect Simple & Continuous

B2 Grammar: Past Perfect Simple & Continuous
ESL Structure Curriculum

ESL Grammar Course

B2: Upper-Intermediate

A timeline showing an event happening before another past event

Past Perfect Simple & Continuous

The Past Perfect is used to talk about an action that happened before another action in the past. It is often called “the past of the past.” It clarifies the sequence of events.

Structures:

  • Simple: `subject + had + past participle`
  • Continuous: `subject + had + been + verb-ing`

⚠️ Attention: Common Challenges

1. Clarifying Sequence: The main function is to show which past action happened first. The Past Perfect action is always the earlier one.

  • “When I arrived at the station, the train had already left.” (First: the train left. Second: I arrived.)

2. Simple vs. Continuous: The choice depends on what you want to emphasize.

  • Simple (Completed action before another past action): “He had finished his work when she called.” (Focus on completion).
  • Continuous (Duration of an action before another past action): “He was tired because he had been working all day.” (Focus on the duration of the work).

Practice Quiz

1. By the time the police arrived, the thieves ____.

2. She ____ for hours, so she was exhausted when she finally found her keys.

3. I ____ of that author before you mentioned him.

4. He failed the exam because he ____ enough.

5. The ground was wet because it ____ all night.

6. After she ____ the report, she took a long break.

7. They ____ for very long when their car broke down.

8. I didn’t recognize him because he ____ so much.

9. How long ____ before you realized your mistake?

10. He told me he ____ a ghost.