Level B1

Past Perfect Continuous

The wall was half painted. She had been painting it.

Look: The wall was half painted. She had been painting it. The job was not finished, so the piece is three words.

Forms

• The wall was half painted. She had been painting it. — had been plus the -ing form for an activity continuing up to a past time
• The letter was unfinished. She had been writing it. — the same three words with another verb
• The room was half clean. She had been cleaning it. — the piece starts with had

A common mistake

Wrong: She had waiting there.

Right: She had been waiting there.

So many people say She had waiting there, but been is missing. We say: She had been waiting there.

More examples

The meal was half cooked. She had been cooking it.

Cooking works the same way: The meal was half cooked. She had been cooking it.

She had been watching the door. Her work was unfinished.

And so does watching: She had been watching the door. Her work was unfinished.