perfect continous

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Before Something in the

PastThe Past Perfect expresses the ideathat something occurred beforeanother action in the past. It can also

show that something happened beforea specific time in the past.Examples:

1. I had never seen such a beautifulbeach before I went to Kauai.2. I did not have any money because Ihad lost my wallet.3. Tony knew Istanbul so well because


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Something in the Past(Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non- Continous Verb andsome non-continuous uses ofMixedVerb, we use the Past Perfect to

show that something started in thepast and continued up until anotheraction in the past.

Examples:

1. We had had that car for ten yearsbefore it broke down.

2. B the time Alex finished his


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Times with the PastPerfect

Unlike with the Present Perfect, itis possible to use specific time wordsor phrases with the Past Perfect.

Although this is possible, it is usuallynot necessary.

Example:

1. She had visited her Japaneserelatives once in 1993 before shemoved in with them in 1996.


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MOREOVER

If the Past Perfect action did occur ata specific time, the Simple Past canbe used instead of the Past Perfect

when "before" or "after" is used inthe sentence. The words "before"and "after" actually tell you what

happens first, so the Past Perfect isoptional. For this reason, bothsentences below are correct.

Examples:


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HOWEVER

If the Past Perfect is not referring toan action at a specific time, PastPerfect is not optional. Compare the

examples below. Here Past Perfect isreferring to a lack of experiencerather than an action at a specific

time. For this reason, Simple Pastcannot be used.

Examples:

1. She never saw a bear before she


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ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show theplacement for grammar adverbssuch as: always, only, never, ever,

still, just, etc.

Examples:

1. You had previously studied Englishbefore you moved to New York.

2. Had you previously studied English

before you moved to New York?


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ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

1. George had repaired many cars

before he received his mechanic'slicense. (Active)

2. Many cars had been repaired by

George before he received hismechanic's license. (Passive)


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FORM

[has/have + been + presentparticiple]

Examples:1. You have been waiting here fortwo hours.

2. Have you been waiting here fortwo hours?

3. You have not been waiting here

for two hours.


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USE 1 Duration from thePast Until Now

We use the Present PerfectContinuous to show that somethingstarted in the past and has continued

up until now. "For five minutes," "fortwo weeks," and "since Tuesday" areall durations which can be used with

the Present Perfect Continuous. Examples:

1. They have been talking for the

last hour.


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USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present PerfectContinuous WITHOUT a duration suchas "for two weeks." Without the

duration, the tense has a moregeneral meaning of "lately." We oftenuse the words "lately" or "recently"

to emphasize this meaning. Examples:

1. Recently, I have been feeling

really tired.


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on-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed

Verbs It is important to remember thatNon- Continous Verbs cannot beused in any continuous tenses. Also,

certain non-continuous meanings forMixed Verbs cannot be used incontinuous tenses. Instead of using

Present Perfect Continuous withthese verbs, you must use PresentPerfect.

Examples:


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ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show theplacement for grammar adverbssuch as: always, only, never, ever,

still, just, etc. Examples:

1. You have only been waiting here forone hour.

2. Have you only been waiting here forone hour?


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ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

1. Recently, John has been doing the

work.Active

2. Recently, the work has been beingdone by John. Passive

NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous isless commonly used in its passiveform.http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.html

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