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 grammar. 

What You’ll Do: 

[1] On page 134, notice uses of the Past Perfect (Continuous) in the illustrated Beginning of a classic tale about competitive, everyday, roles in work and in life.  Keep analyzing examples as you show your interest in the story,  study the Grammar Boxes, and practice the Tense Forms & Patterns in Exercises 1a-1c, 2-2b, 4-4b.     

[2] In the rest of Unit 11, polish your application of relevant grammar in even more complex (combined) sentences (with adverb clauses), including expression of Unreal Past Conditions.  Referring to a page 146 “Summary of the Past Perfect (Continuous) if helpful, retell and continue the sample story.  Hear, read, make up, and tell comparable (real or invented) stories of your own.