Short and long forms in the Past Perfect Continuous

How to use short and long forms with the Past Perfect Continuous

We often use short forms of auxiliaries in spoken English. The Past Perfect Continuous is formed with the auxiliary had.

1. Affirmative forms

Pronouns	Long forms	Contracted forms
I, he, she, it, we, you, they	I had been playing	I‘d been playing
	you had been playing	you‘d been playing
	he had been playing	he‘d been playing
	we had been playing	we‘d been playing

2. Negative forms

Pronouns	Long forms	Contracted forms
I, he, she, it, we, you, they	I had not been playing	I‘d not been playing
	I had not been playing	I hadn’t been playing
	you had not been playing	you‘d not been playing
	you had not been playing	you hadn’t been playing
	he had not been playing	he‘d not been playing
	he had not been playing	he hadn’t been playing
	they had not been playing	they‘d not been playing
	they had not been playing	they hadn’t been playing

Explanations

Exercises

Exercises – Past Perfect