Theory - Past Perfect Simple vs. Past Perfect Continuous

This tense is used to talk about an action that ended in the past before another started

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Used to talk about a past action that started in the past and continued to happen after another action or time in the past

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Used to emphasize the completion/result of the action

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Used to emphasize the duration of the action

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Which tense suggests something is more permanent?

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Which tense suggests something is more temporary?

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Which tense is most often used with stative verbs?

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

Which tense is rarely used with stative verbs?

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

This tense shows two linked events in the past

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous

This tense shows the cause of a past action

• Past Perfect Simple

• Past Perfect Continuous