English grammar
Past perfect continuous: I'd been waiting (for three hours) when…
Say what had been going on, and for how long, up to a moment in the past.
From the scene I had been waiting for years
In short
Use had been + -ing for an activity going on up to a past moment: I'd been waiting all night.
Your turn
Which one goes with how long, then the interruption?
Options: I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off · I'd been waiting all night · had you been watching my letterbox?
Show answer
how long, then the interruption → I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off
How it works
Had been + -ing is an activity that had been going on up to a moment in the past: I'd been waiting all night.
Good to know
Add for + time to say how long, and when + past simple for the moment it was interrupted: I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off.
Good to know
It's the past version of I've been waiting, and it explains a result: he was asleep in the hall because he'd been waiting all night.
going on up to a past moment I'd been waiting all night
Ramón
Eh? What time is it? I'd been waiting all night and I fell asleep.
¿Eh? ¿Qué hora es? Había estado esperando toda la noche y me quedé dormido.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Eh? What time is it? (blank) and I fell asleep.
Options: I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off · Had you been watching my letterbox · I'd been waiting all night
Show answer
Ramón
Eh? What time is it? I'd been waiting all night and I fell asleep.
¿Eh? ¿Qué hora es? Había estado esperando toda la noche y me quedé dormido.
how long, then the interruption I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off
Ramón
For the publisher's courier. I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off.
Al mensajero de la editorial. Llevaba tres horas esperando cuando se apagó la luz.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
For the publisher's courier. (blank).
Options: Had you been watching my letterbox · I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off · I'd been waiting all night
Show answer
Ramón
For the publisher's courier. I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off.
Al mensajero de la editorial. Llevaba tres horas esperando cuando se apagó la luz.
question: had you been + -ing? had you been watching my letterbox?
Elena
Ramón! I saw you down here last night. Had you been watching my letterbox?
¡Ramón! Anoche le vi aquí abajo. ¿Había estado vigilando mi buzón?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ramón! I saw you down here last night. (blank)?
Options: Had you been watching my letterbox · I'd been waiting all night · I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off
Show answer
Elena
Ramón! I saw you down here last night. Had you been watching my letterbox?
¡Ramón! Anoche le vi aquí abajo. ¿Había estado vigilando mi buzón?
for + time, a long build-up I'd been dreaming about that chapter for weeks
Ramón
I'd been dreaming about that chapter for weeks.
Llevaba semanas soñando con ese capítulo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off · I'd been dreaming about that chapter for weeks · I'd been waiting all night
Show answer
Ramón
I'd been dreaming about that chapter for weeks.
Llevaba semanas soñando con ese capítulo.
now vs then (recap) I've been waiting → I'd been waiting
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| going on up to a past moment | I'd been waiting all night |
|---|---|
| how long, then the interruption | I'd been waiting for three hours when the light went off |
| question: had you been + -ing? | had you been watching my letterbox? |
| for + time, a long build-up | I'd been dreaming about that chapter for weeks |
| now vs then (recap) | I've been waiting → I'd been waiting |
More lines from the story
- RamónTo read chapter three before anyone else.Para leer el capítulo tres antes que nadie.
- JaviAnother one. And why were you waiting for me?Otro. ¿Y para qué me esperaba?