The past perfect continuous tense

Exercise 1. Put the verb in brackets into the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. She (study) English for three years before she got this job. 2. We (wait) for two hours when Thomas arrived. I wonder what he (do) all that time. 3. We (sit) in the café for half an hour until the rain stopped. 4. He (work) in the garden, but he stopped when he saw us. 5. They were very angry. They (try) to see you for two hours but you were not in. 6. I (listen) to her complaints all day before I dared to tell her what I really thought of it. 7. How long you (do) this translation before you finished it? 8. Yesterday morning I got up and looked out of the window. The sun was shining brightly but the ground was wet. It (rain). 9. I was very tired when I arrived home. I (work) hard all day. 10. My father gave up smoking a year ago. He (smoke) for 20 years. 11. Helen’s eyes ached because she (use) the computer all day long. 12. When he phoned, I (have) a piano lesson for half an hour.

Exercise 2. Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous Tense.

1. We (to drive) for 3 hours before we came to the ancient castle. 2. By the time the train arrived, they (to wait) already for an hour and a half. 3. He knew where the Brows lived but he never (to be) there. 4. When I first met him he (to lecture) at Cambridge University for 10 years. 5. It was in Bristol that I first met Peter. He was 15 and just (to come) back from school for summer holidays. 6. Before Ann came to college she (to study) French for quite a while. 7. She realized that it was completely dark and that she (to walk) for a long while. 8. She (to look) at him since they sat down; and he wondered what she (to think) about all the time. 9. It (to snow) all day when I left home. 10. At lunch Peter told them about New York and what he (to do) there.

Exercise 3. Translate into English.

1. В своем последнем письме моя подруга написала, что с сентября она занимается на курсах вождения. Я знала, что она два года мечтает научиться водить автомобиль. 2. К завтраку Мария вышла с красными глазами, и Патрик знал, что она ночью снова плакала. 3. Том понимал, как тяжело бросить курить, потому что он сам курил уже 10 лет. 4. Вчера Джон вернулся домой очень усталый, так как он работал весь день без отдыха. 5. Когда я наконец появился в приемной, секретарь сказала, что директор ждет меня уже полчаса. 6. Сколько лет твой отец работал в этом университете до того, как вышел на пенсию? 7. Его брат управлял этой компанией два года до того, как уехал в Лондон. 8. Мать Питера была очень сердитой, когда он поздно вернулся домой, потому, что она волновалась целый вечер.

Exercise 4. Use Present or Past Perfect Continuous.

1. I (to work) like a slave all week. 2. I’ve seen it myself, for I (to ride) around London for years. 3. Mr. Smith who (to look) at the door, turned to his wife. 4. She told him that she (to stay) there for two weeks. 5. We (to sit) there for an hour and a half when he came. 6. I (to think) of your life ever since I met you. 7. I (not to pull) for more than 1 minute when George noticed something black floating on the water. 8. I (to try) to see you ever since this horrible affair. 9. “Hello,” she said, “I’m so glad you’re here, Jane. I (to wait) to talk to you.” 10. Then she took up a book which (to lie) beside her on the bench and began to read it. 11. He (to look) 2 minutes at the fire, and I (to look) the same length of time at him when, turning suddenly, he caught my gaze. 12. “Well, what you (to do)?” – he asked. “Nothing? Well, I thought so. I (to intend) to drive over and see you all summer.” 13. You must know, that I (to wait) to do that ever since I was ten. 14. The truth is that for the last week I (to work) day and night. 15. My daughter and son-in-law (to look) for a decent cottage I don’t know how long. 16. Why are you looking so at the boy? You (to look) at him all the evening. 17. I (to think) about it, and I think I know the answer. 18. It seemed to him that he (to eat) nothing but boiled beef for weeks. 19. After Bambe (to follow) him for a long time he said: “At last!” – and they stopped. 20. Before the boys appeared on the scene the old man (to grow tired) of his loneliness and his seventy years. 21. Toby, who (to stand) uneasily near the gate, looked startled and came forward.

Exercise 5. Translate into English:

1. Она учила английский пять лет, прежде чем смогла свободно гово­рить на нём. 2. Она подумала о том, давно ли он здесь стоит, и видел ли он, как она прятала письмо. 3. Всю ночь без остановки шёл дождь. И утром на дороге были боль­шие лужи. 4. Когда я пришёл, он работал. Он выглядел очень усталым, и я поду­мал, что он работает уже давно. 5. Я с детства мечтаю иметь собаку. 6. Мы уже полчаса идём под дождём. Он когда-нибудь кончится? 7. Где ты был? Мы ждем тебя уже 2 часа. 8. Ты уже часа 3 смотришь телевизор. У тебя глаза не устали? 9. Наконец ты пришёл. Я уже час жду. 10. Мы уже 3 часа работаем. Пора сделать перерыв.

Exercise 6. Use the Past Indefinite, the Past Continuous or the Past Perfect Continuous Tense.

1. My sister’s wedding (be) the only thing everybody (talk) at home for the last three weeks. 2. He (turn) to look at the corner where she (stand). 3. He just (leave) for the airport when I (call). 4. “Who are you thinking of?” he (ask) after he (look) at me for a few seconds. 5. He (read) his evening paper as usual when a friend of his called him on the phone. 6. The boys (play) football and did not hear their mother calling them from the window. 7. The boys were tired because they (play) football. 8. We (work) in silence for some time when John spoke. 9. He (look) at the fire and (think) of something. 10. He (look) three or four times at the fire and then turned his face to me; it was sad. 11. At last I found the book, which I (look) for all day. 12. He asked me what I (look) for. 13. When I entered the room Sir George (talk) in a loud voice. 14. She (put) aside the book she (read) and (stand) up from the table. 15. When we went to see them last night, they (play) chess; they said they (play) since six o’clock. 16. She felt chilly after she (swim) for an hour. 17. They told me that Ben still (swim). 18. He (read) before the fire for half an hour when the telephone (ring).

Exercise 7. Use the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous of the verb in brackets.

Yesterday Jim … for Mary for half an hour when he finally decided to give up (to wait). She … never … so late before, so he thought she … about their meeting (to be, to forget). He went to telephone to her house to find out if she … (to leave). He learnt that Mary … for him outside the cinema for half an hour (to wait). She … home twice during that time (to telephone). Jim was very much surprised to hear it as he … outside the cinema for half an hour too (to stand). It was clear that Mary … to the wrong cinema (to go). Jim ran to the cinema they usually went to. And indeed there she was. They … to the cinema together for two months, and this was the first mistake they … (to go, to make).

As they … the first part of the film they decided to wait for the next show (to miss). They were awfully hungry as they … no dinner (to have). Jim invited Mary to a café. She agreed as she … of her tea for some time too (to think).

Exercise 8. Put the verb in brackets into the Past Indefinite, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. She (run) downstairs to open the door, but it (be) too late. The postman already (go). 2. She (apologize) and (say) she already (have) lunch. 3. He (smoke) for 10 years before he finally (give) it up last year. 4. All the roads were blocked: it (snow) all night long. 5. I hardly (get) off the tram when it suddenly (start) moving. 6. Victoria (take) a hot bath after she (work) in the garden all afternoon. 7. When I (leave) home the snow already (stop). 8. She (say) she (teach) at this school for 20 years. 9. He (say) he just (finish) the book he (read) all that time. 10. The postman (come) after lunch and (bring) me a letter which I (expect) for a long time. 11. It (rain) since morning, and the fields (be) quite muddy.

Exercise 9. Open the brackets using the appropriate tense-form (the Past Indefinite, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous).

1. By the time I (get) to the station the train (leave). 2. Andrew’s mother (be) very angry when he (come) home late because she (worry) about him all evening. 3. The children (start) a fire. They (play) with matches. 4. Brenda (disappear) before I (have) time to talk to her. 5. When I (meet) him he (work) as a plumber for a year or so. 6. We scarcely (start) eating when there (be) another scream. 7. I (be) very pleased when my son (find) my watch because we (look) for it for hours. 8. Nina (think) she (leave) her purse in a locker in the changing room the day before. 9. Karen (admit) that she (make) a mistake and (apologize). 10. When we (get) to the airport we (hear) that they (cancel) all the flights. 11. When Mr. Gabb (come) out of the water, he (find) that somebody (take) all his clothes. 12. Ann only (work) there for a few days when she (decide) to leave. 13. The label (come) off the tin and I didn’t know how to cook the meat. 14. They (get) married in 1999, just a year after they (fall) in love. 15. David (admit) that he (hit) the other car, but (say) he (not / damage) it. 16. Jane (miss) the party because no one (inform) her about it. 17. Hardly Harry (start) working when he (realize) that he (need) to go to the library. 18. As Lucy (walk) home, she (try) to remember what (happen). 19. By the time Liz (be) eighteen she (study) English for six years. 20. We (fly) for twenty minutes when the pilot (announce) we (have) to go back because of bad weather.

Exercise 10. Put the verb in brackets into the Past Continuous, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. Liz (sit) on the sofa drinking tea. She was tired because she (work) very hard all day. 2. After we (have) dinner, we went for a walk. 3. The children (sit) on the grass. They were out of breath. They (run) a two-kilometer race. 4. After we (walk) for an hour we decided to have a rest. 5. Ann’s brother (study) at university for several years before he finally passed his exams. 6. I already (sleep) when my friend phoned me last night. I (be) in bed for 2 hours and it was very difficult for me to wake up. 7. When we went out it (not rain). The sun (shine). But it (rain) before, so the ground was wet. 8. I took my dog for a walk. It was difficult to keep up with him because he (run) very fast. 9. Ben got really tired in his first marathon because he (not run) in such a long race before. 10. After Susan (stop) trying to lose weight she looked much healthier. 11. We were very sad when our dog Spot died. We (have) him for a long time. 12. I (go) to sleep by the time he arrived. 13. The house (be) empty for several years when I bought it.

Exercise 11. Underline the correct tense.

1. We were happy to hear that we (were passing / had passed) the exam. 2. My uncle had been the headmaster of that school for thirty years before he (had retired / retired). 3. She (was walking / had walked) home when she saw the accident. 4. How long ago (had you taken / did you take) this course? 5. She bought the blouse because she (wanted / had wanted) to wear it to the party. 6. We (weren’t / hadn’t been) satisfied with our achievements then. 7. I (watched / was watching) the news when the telephone rang. 8. It had been raining all day and the roads (had been / were) very wet. 9. When (did she choose / has she chose) to take a course in statistics? 10. Bill (had been thinking / thought) about his answer during the lunch break. 11. George was angry. He (had been waiting / was waiting) for Nora for two hours. 12. The students (opened / had opened) their books and did the exercise. 13. The teacher (was smiling / had smiled) as she was reading Mary’s composition. 14. It was easy for him to get lost because he (hadn’t been / wasn’t) to a big city before. 15. Tom (listened / was listening) to the teacher while the others (took / were taking) notes.

Exercise 12. Choose the appropriate tense of the verbs in brackets, either the Past Simple, Past Perfect, Past Continuous or Past Perfect Continuous.

1. On that day it (rain) heavily since early morning and mother (not allow) the children to go out. 2. John (park) his car under a “No parking” sign and (go) into the shop. When he (come) out of the shop ten minutes later the car (be) no longer there. He (wonder) if someone (steal) it or if the police (drive) it away. 3. She (put) aside the book she (read) for half an hour and (get) up from the sofa. 4. The whole place was deserted, but it was obvious that someone (live) there. 5. Actually, she (not know) what (go) on in the house on that Saturday morning. She (work) in the garden since the sun (rise). 6. I (live) in a bed-sitter up to then. 7. On Wednesday Marion (go) down with pneumonia. She (look) unwell for several days. 8. On his table Daniel (see) a message that his partner (send) him a few days before. 9. The employees (feel) tired as they (work) for eighteen hours. 10. Did the new boss know that we (purchase) goods from that company for five years? 11. He (affirm) that he (be) in the service for three months already. 12. Robert (work) for a steel factory in Sheffield for a year already when his family (move) to live there. 13. The plant (do) very well when its executive manager (decide) to retire.

Exercise 13. Put the verb in brackets into the Past Indefinite, the Past Continuous, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. Nobody (know) where Smith (go). 2. A girl who (stand) under the beech tree (come) up to us. 3. Mary (speak) to Mr. Boxwell when I (see) her in the corridor this morning. 4. John (park) the car in Fifth Avenue when a young man in black glasses (appear) from nowhere and (stand) before him. 5. He again (come) to the village where he (live) in his childhood. 6. While we (talk), there (come) a loud knock at the door. 7. He (look) into the drawing-room. The old man (sleep) peacefully in the armchair at the fire-place. 8. When their visitor (leave) John and his mother (stand) near the window. 9. When he (dress), he (go) downstairs, (write) a long letter to his parents and another to his sister. 10. She (welcome) him with a bright smile and (turn) back to the offensive dandelions she (fight) with. 11. While she (read) this notice, a middle-aged woman (appear) in the doorway. 12. When he (come) back to the conference room, he (see) that the situation (change). 13. She (sit) at the table only five minutes when a car (come). 14. Their father (be) still silent, even when they (have) coffee. 15. The three (sit) down to the meal that Susan (prepare).

Exercise 14. Put the verb in brackets into the Past Indefinite, the Past Continuous, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. How your chief (find) out that you (come) to work late? 2. He told me that his aunt (live) with them for three months. 3. The discovery of the art of writing (enable) the Ancient Egyptians to remember what their ancestors (do) before them. 4. The Romans (destroy) Jerusalem with fire and (kill) many of the inhabitants. 5. He scarcely (get) outside the door when he (hear) Wardle’s voice talking loudly. 6. I knew right away that that was the place I (look) for all my life. 7. At nine o’clock that evening a long black Packard roadster (draw) up to her door, and Arnie (step) out of the front seat where he (sit) with the driver and a girl between them. 8. I (shout) to him to stop, but at that moment he (run) too fast to hear. 9. He (pick) up the book he (read) before I (come) into the room, and (turn) the cover of the page to mark the place where he (stop) reading. 10. No sooner they (arrive) at this point than a most violent and startling knocking was heard at the door.

Exercise 15. Complete the sentences using the Past Indefinite, the Past Continuous, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. I never (lend) a friend a large amount of money, because I always (think) it would almost certainly be the end of the friendship. But one day I (have) a very good reason for borrowing money myself. I (need) an urgent operation. 2. It (snow) when I (get) up this morning. The children next door (make) a snowman. I quickly (put) on my warm clothes and (race) outside to help them. 3. Our team (play) really well. We (win) at half time, but in the end we (lose). 4. When my mother (come) downstairs this morning, she couldn’t believe her eyes. We (do) all the washing-up and (make) breakfast for her. We (work) for an hour before she (wake) up. 5. She (live) in Oxford when she (meet) her husband. They (go) out for two years before they (get) married. 6. Once I (tell) him the truth, I (feel) better. For many years I (keep) it a secret. 7. It was 1 o’clock and the dog from next door (bark) for two hours. I wondered what (happen) there. 8. She said she (try) to phone me since morning, but nobody was at home. 9. No sooner I (get) home than the telephone (ring). My mother (call). 10. When we arrived at the station, Alex (wait) for us for half an hour already. He (wear) a white suit and (look) very handsome.

Exercise 16. Put the verbs in brackets into the most suitable past tense.

1. Ruth (rise) early, (make) coffee and (eat) her breakfast. 2. She (become) an excellent player by the time she finished school. 3. The party already (start) by the time I (arrive). 4. She (ask) this question yesterday? 5. Their school (celebrate) its 50^th anniversary in 1998. 6. I (begin) to adjust to my new life at college after I (be) there for three months. 7. I (review) grammar rules before the test when my computer (start) to blink. 8. She was upset, because she (not manage) to prepare for the test. 9. They (be) nervous before the test yesterday? 10. What the director (say) to you when you were in his office? 11. He was dizzy. He (work) on the computer all night. 12. John (read) an economic book, while Ted (look through) some magazines. 13. I do not remember exactly how long ago it (be). 14. The boy (receive) two letters from his parents since the time he (arrive). 15. Dave (not give) any explanation why he (be) late for school. 16. Brenda (work) here for a year before she left to go to the university. 17. He (drive) to work at this time yesterday morning. 18. I already (eat) breakfast by the time the others (wake up). 19. It (rain) for two days when suddenly the sun (come out). 20. They already (see) the film twice at the cinema when she (rent) it on video. 21. The teacher (teach) the students how to use past tenses yesterday. 22. The cousins (go) to the Crimea for their holidays last summer. 23. They (play) tennis on the sports ground when the weather (change). 24. After I had finished my homework, I (leave) the library. 25. Everybody (dance) in the hall when electricity suddenly (go off). 26. By the time he (find) what he wanted he (spend) all the money. 27. A fire (break out) in a residence hall where a number of students (stay).

Exercise 17. Put the verbs in brackets into the most suitable past tense.

Cara (1 go) to the department store and (2 return) the dress she (3 buy). She (4 return) home after the clerk (5 refund) her money. After she (6 eat) her dinner, she (7 begin) to watch a movie on television. She (8 change) from Channel 7 to Channel 4 because she (9 see) already the movie on Channel 7.

After she (10 watch) the movie for a while, she (11 become) bored. She just (12 turn off) the set when the telephone (13 ring). By the time she (14 answer) it, the person on the other end (15 hang up). It was getting late so she (16 decide) to take a shower and go to bed. She scarcely (17 get) undressed when someone (18 knock) at the door. After she (19 put on) her robe, she (20 open) the door and she (21 discover) that someone (22 leave) her a package. After she (open) the package, she 24 (be) surprised to see a birthday card and a beautiful scarf.

Exercise 18. Translate into English.

1. Она смертельно поссорилась со своим мужем десять минут назад. 2. На старой даме было бархатное платье, которое не видело света двадцать лет. 3. Гости ушли. Теперь они сидели одни перед камином в гостиной. 4. Люди, которых она встречала по дороге домой, улыбались ей и спрашивали, как она провела отпуск. 5. Я думаю, он показал мне около тридцати картин. Это был результат шести лет, в течение которых он рисовал. 6. Она больше не получала от него писем. Он перестал писать за три года до этого. 7. Я переписал письмо от Элизы, положил его в конверт и пошел на почту. Снег прекратился. Когда я вернулся, я выпил чаю и сел к пианино. 8. Она изучала искусство рисования три года, прежде чем стала работать в издательстве. 9. Когда я вчера принимала ванну, как всегда, зазвонил телефон. 10. Перед отъездом мы зашли к мисс Чандлер. Мы не видели ее некоторое время, и моя сестра заметила, что она сильно изменилась. 11. Не успели они проехать и пяти миль, как их остановила полиция. 12. Он путешествовал уже два дня, но выглядел свежим и не чувствовал усталости. 13. Буря утихла, и опять светило солнце. 14. Мистер Мэтлок посмотрел на своего сына, его взгляд смягчился.

Exercise 19. Replace the infinitives in brackets by the past indefinite, the present or the past perfect tense forms, or the present perfect continuous or past perfect continuous tense forms.

1. This noise (to go) on since I (to sit) here. 2. Soviet biologists (to study) this problem for many years. 3. The children (to live) with their aunt since the mother (to fall) ill. 4. We (to climb) for six hours when we at last (to reach) the summit of the mountain. 5. “I (to wait) a long time for you,” said my companion with a displeased air. I (to pull) out my watch and (to show) it to him. He (to apologize) saying that his watch (to be) fast. 6. We (to know) each other since I (to come) to live in this house. 7. For a long time you (to promise) to give me those books. 8. What you (to do) in my absence? I (to read) Byron. – Show me the poem you (to read). 9. He (to study) for two hours, tell him to rest a little.

Exercise 20. Complete the sentences using the Past Indefinite, the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous, the Past Perfect or the Past Perfect Continuous.

1. When I was speaking to the girl I (realize) that I (meet) her somewhere before. 2. My grandfather used to talk to me for hours about all the interesting things he (do) in his youth. 3. You know, I (do) housework all day today. I (clean) all the rooms in the flat. 4. It’s the first time all the family (be) together since Sally’s birthday. 5. Where you (be)? I (look) for you for the last 20 minutes. 6. Granny could see that the child (cry) for some time. 7. Where is Mary? – I (not see) her today, but she (tell) David that she would be in for dinner. 8. It’s 4 already & I’m really hungry. I (not have) any breakfast & I (not have) time to go out for anything to eat this afternoon. 9. We (wait) there for some 20 minutes when a passer-by (tell) us that we were at the wrong crossroads. 10. It’s one of the most interesting films I ever (see). 11. We just (be) to the film “Gone with the wind”. You (see) it? – No, I haven’t. Is it like the book? – I (not read) the book. – I (read) it when I was still a schoolgirl & (enjoy) it greatly. 12. He (arrive) late because he (not realize) the streets would be so slippery. 13. The lesson already (start) when he arrived. 14. Alan is a good basketball player. He (play) basketball since he was 10. 15. Robert (feel) nervous when he first drove in England because he (not drive) on the left before. 16. This is the only time I ever (see) her cry. 17. I (walk) for about half an hour when it suddenly (start) to rain. 18. We got to the station at 10, but the train already (leave). 19. I’m so tired. I (do) Christmas shopping all day. 20. It was the second time he (be) in love that year. 21. Martin’s hands were dirty. He (clean) his bike. 22. You (finish) painting the bedroom yet? – Yes, I (do) it last weekend. 23. You (decide) what you’re going to do when you leave school? – Well, I (not make) up my mind yet. 24. Tom (fall) asleep in class in the morning. He (dance) in the disco till 6 am. 25. The baby’s face was red. It (scream) for hours.

Exercise 21. Choose the appropriate tense of the verbs in brackets.

1. The train not yet (to arrive), but a lot of people (to stand) on the platform. 2. When I (to leave) home, the snow already (to stop), but an icy wind still (to blow). 3. The pain already (to go) but the child still (to cry). 4. The lesson not yet (to begin) and the children (to talk) loudly in the corridor. 5. I (to run). That’s why I look hot. 6. Clouds (to gather) all day and now rain came down in sheets. 7. When we left home a strong wind (to blow), the snow (to whirl) in the wind. 8. The postman (to come) today? – Yes, he (to come). He (to bring) me a letter which I (to expect) for a long time. 9. It (to be) nearly eleven o’clock when we (to set) off on our four-mile walk home. 10. It (to be) nine o’clock when the doctor, having finished his evening meal, (to draw) his chair to the fire. 11. He (to be) back for two months before I (to see) him.

Exercise 22. Choose the right tenses (past simple, past continuous, present perfect, past perfect, present perfect continuous or past perfect continuous).

1. Reports are coming in that a train (crash) near Birmingham. According to eyewitnesses, it (hit) a concrete block which somebody (put) on the line. 2. Halfway to the office Paul (turn) round and (go) back home, because he (forget) to turn off the gas. 3. I (do) housework all day today. I haven’t finished yet. 4. I (lie) in bed thinking about getting up when the doorbell (ring). 5. It wasn’t surprising that she (start) getting toothache. She (not go) to the dentist for two years. 6. I (play) a lot of bridge recently. 7. When I (get) home everybody (watch) TV. 8. We (not see) your mother for ages. 9. How long you (learn) English? 10. London (change) a lot since we first (come) to live here. 11. ‘How many times you (see) this film?’ ‘This is the first time I (see) it.’ 12. ‘Who’s that?’ ‘I never (see) him before in my life.’ 13. I hear Joe (get) married last month. 14. I often (wonder) where she (get) her money. 15. You (read) Pam Marshall’s latest book? 16. They just (discover) a new fuel – it’s half the price of petrol, and much cleaner. 17. You (hear) the storm last month? 18. My sister (be) married three times. 19. While she (talk) on the phone the children (start) fighting and (break) her favourite vase. 20. He used to talk to us for hours about all the interesting things he (see) in his life. 21. You know, she (stand) looking at that picture for the last twenty minutes. 22. I (spend) a lot of time travelling since I (get) this new job. 23. When I (meet) him he (work) as a waiter for a year or so. 24. When I (be) at school we all (study) Latin. 25. You (finish) with the bathroom yet?