2.1 Paco had been waiting for this (past perfect continuous v simple)

Importante

Past perfect continuous or simple?

i) Remember that some verbs (the stative) are never used in the continuous, e.g. belong, know, own, etc.

ii) To emphasise the activity use the continuous. To talk about things completed, use the simple:

He had been writing letters when I arrived. (we don't say how many- emphasis on activity)

He had written 20 letters when I arrived. He had been writing 20 letters (because it means that he didn't finish any letters)

iii) sometimes they can both be used but simple indicates more permanence:

The castle had stood on the rock for hundreds of years until it was destroyed by the Romans.

The man had been standing there for hours- he was absolutely soaked.

Comprueba lo aprendido

Decide which of these sentences use the correct form of the past perfect.

Pregunta 1

1. When I arrived, John had cooked dinner.

Pregunta 2

2. John had been cutting onions in the kitchen so his eyes were red.

Pregunta 3

3. I had been finishing 30 reports that day so I was tired when I got home.

Pregunta 4

4. He was angry because I had been crashing into his car.

Pregunta 5

5. "What have you been doing'" >We asked him what he had done.

Pregunta 6

6. How long had you known Mary before you got married?

Pregunta 7

8. The police couldn't arrest the thieves because they had been running away.

Comprueba lo aprendido

Lea el párrafo que aparece abajo y complete las palabras que faltan.
I'm sorry I went without you last night, but I asked you to meet me early because the show started at 7:00 and I was worried I wouldn't make it. As you know, I (look) forward to going to that show for months and I didn't want to miss it. Before I left the bar, I (send)you a dozen messages and you (not reply) so I thought maybe you (forget). Anyway, I had to leave because I (arrange) to meet Jane outside the theatre.
When I got there, Jane (already, pick up) the tickets. She was furious because she (wait)for over 20 minutes and the show was about to start. She said she (almost, decide) to go in without me.
Anyway, we saw the show and it was great but Jane was really angry with you. She said that she (miss) several films because you (arrive) late. So I really think you should apologise.

teatro

Imagen de Rich smith en Flickr. Licencia CC

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