Unit 2
The past perfect continuous
We use the past perfect continuous (had been + verb -ing) to talk about situations that were happening up to a specific moment in the past.
- My uncle had been working at the company for four years when he got a raise in his salary.
- My father was very tired because he had been working all day in the garden.
- I had been studying for a while when my friend texted me.
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- The man was exhausted. He ............ since 5 a.m.
(has worked - has been working - had been working)
- By the time he arrived home, they ................... the engine.
(have fixed - had been fixing - were fixed)
- By the time my friend phoned me, I ................ for three hours.
(had been studying - have studied - will be studying)
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