D-13.09 Use the Past Perfect (Continuous) Tenses

Unit 11: The Past Perfect Tenses (“A Hard Day’s Work”) of the Original Scenario, Volume Three: English Grammar in Context, pages 134-147 13 pages Who It’s For: Advanced (Self-)Teachers & Helpers Who, Having “Mastered” Present Perfect Time, Want to Go Back to the “Past of the Past.”  Why It’s Useful: In its Forms & Patterns, the Past Perfect (Continuous) Tenses parallel those of the Present Perfect (Continuous). What are the differences to consider?  First, there’s the use of had(n’t) as the auxiliary to replace have(n’t) / has(n’t)—in Affirmative & Negative Statements, (Tag-)Questions, & Answers.  Second, there are the meanings of the verb phrases: to express (completion of) (repeated or continuous) activity before a (specified) past time or event.  Uses of Time Adverbs & Clauses are equivalent in both Time Frames.  Based on a prototypical children’s folk tale, “The Husband Who Tried to Keep House,” this vintage Unit is likely to delight as it “teaches” advanced