past perfect cont vs past cont

[egerol1]

Hello guys,
I was wondering the difference between the past perfect continous and past continous?
Like:I was doing and I had been doing

 

[5jj]

I was wondering the difference between the past perfect continous and past continous?
Like:I was doing and I had been doing

I was practising the bagpipes last night when there was a knock at my door. It was the person who lived in the flat below mine. She had been trying to prepare for an important examination, but had been distracted by my music.

There is an example of the two forms being used..

Can you see why I have used each form where I have? If not, let us know.

 

[kannanvv07]

It is still confusing

 

[2006]

It is still confusing

How about these sentences?

1) He was living in New York City when John Lennon was killed.

2) He had been living in New York City for four years before he realized that it was not the capital of New York State.

 

[5jj]

1) He was living in New York City when John Lennon was killed.

2) He had been living in New York City for four years before he realized that it was not the capital of New York State.

Thanks, 2006. Your examples are a little clear than mine were. I'll now try two more:

Background: I watched television yesterday from 8 o'clock to 10 o'clock. My wife came home at 9 o'clock.

3. When my wife came home, I was watching television.
4. When my wife came home, I had been watching television for an hour.

Are you less confused now, kannanvv07? If not, give us a couple of sentences that you have composed yourself, We can tell you if you have used the constructions correctly.

 

[egerol1]

so if I understood correctly after "had been" we use prepositions and by using these prepositions we mention a duration of time.
so "had been" is just past form of "have been"?

Then we can't say "for 2 hours" after "I was watching television"?

 

[5jj]

It's not particularly the prepositions. It is when the period of time began and to when it extends.

I have been watching television.This is an activity that began in the past and continued up to the present moment.

I have been watching television for two hours. The activity began two hours ago, and is probably still going on now.

I had been watching television. This is an activity that began before a certain past time and continued up to that past time

I had been watching television for two hours. The activity began two hours before the time we are talking about, and was probably still going on at that time.

I was watching television at 10 o'clock last night. The activity began before 10 o'clock and was still going on at 10 o'clock.

I was watchingtelevision last night. We are not particularly concerned with the beginning or end of the activity, simply that it happened.

 

[egerol1]

Then is this correct?
When somebody knocked the door I realized that it had been 2 hours since I had begun watching tv

 

[egerol1]

these tenses are really confusing I need a good source to rely on

 

[5jj]

Then is this correct?
When somebody knocked on the door I realized that it had been 2 hours since I had begun watching tv

Yes.

 

[egerol1]

thanks fivejedjon! you really helped me a lot!

if I have other question can I pm you?

 

[egerol1]

actually I'm not joking.I would really like to take help from you in English

 

[5jj]

if I have other question can I pm you?

I am glad I was able to help.

It is always better to ask questions about English in public threads. There are many experienced and knowledgeable people who post answers here, and it would be a pity to miss out on their contributions.

Also, as you will know if you have read many of my posts, I have made mistakes. If I make them in public, others can correct me.

What you don't know is that there are many questions I do not answer, because I know that others are more able to give a sound answer than I.