Had been

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Two sentences:1. He was taking a bath when i called.2. He had been taking a bath when i called.Number 1 i'm sure is OK. Number 2 i'm not so sure about. Is it grammatically correct??? Thanks.. my first post .. looks like a great site.Paul

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Hi, Paul, Thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums.

Both your sentences are grammatically correct, but the second one has some timing problems because of the semantic meanings of the words involved.

The past perfect would mean that the bath had been completed before you called. This could well be true, but I don't think it's what you mean to say.

Such a sentence could serve no useful purpose that I can think of.

Best wishes, - A.

Ouch! I have it wrong. This isn't past perfect tense. (I thought it sounded okay!). It's past continuous. Wow, is my face red! The bath was in progress when you called.

Past perfect would be, "I had [just] taken a bath when you called."

Avangi · Answer

Hi Paul. Thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums.
I don't know if someone mercifully deleted my original post. The site keeps shutting down on me and I've reset at least 50 times. I got so rattled I really screwed up on the grammar.

Both your sentences are grammatically correct.

However, the second has time factor problems because of the meanings of the words involved.
With the past perfect continuous tense, the meaning is that the bath would have been completed before you called, which may be true, but probably not what you mean.

Sorry for all the delays.

Best wishes, - A.

Edit. I see my original post unfortunately re-appeared!

Past progressive (past continuous) would be "I was taking a bath when you called," which is your sentence #1.

With the perfect tenses, the action is completed at the time referred to:
(present perfect) I have taken a bath.
(past perfect) I had taken a bath.

With the progressive / continuous tenses, the action is going on at the time referred to:
(present continuous) I am taking a bath.
(past continuous) I was taking a bath.

Combining the two concepts:
(present perfect continuous) I have been taking a bath.
(past perfect continuous) I had been taking a bath.

I hope I haven't confused you.

Pauljwest · Answer

excellent ... thanks for your very insightful answer. I knew it was something like that, I just couldnt quite explain it. This IS a great site and from what ive seen(browsed) so far, you guys are the best.

Thanks again,
Paul

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