had been and were

Question

Can we replace had been in the following sentence with the were? They don't seem to be identical.We had been waiting for the plane an hour before it landed.

Vsuresh · Accepted Answer

"Had been waiting" denotes the duration of your waiting before the plane landed so it is better as it is.

Khoshtip · Answer

Thanks. Fine argument.

CalifJim · Answer

khoshtipWe had been waiting for the plane an hour before it landed.

Fine. A possible second version: We waited for the plane an hour before it landed. (Not were waiting. an hour is somewhat incompatible with the past continuous.)

CJ

Khoshtip · Answer

So generally when we speak about duration of the time in the past we must use perfect continues tense, yeah?

Vsuresh · Answer

khoshtipSo generally when we speak about duration of the time in the past we must use perfect continues tense, yeah?

Not always. It depends on the context.

As shown above by CJ, either past tense or past perfect continuous tense suits the context there.

CalifJim · Answer

khoshtipSo generally when we speak about duration of the time in the past we must use the perfect continuous tense

No, not at all. You can use any of these to speak about a duration of time:

past
past continuous
present perfect
present perfect continuous
past perfect
past perfect continuous

It will depend on the verb, on the rest of the sentence, and on the exact shade of meaning you want. Often the verb itself has a meaning that implies duration (live, work, wait).

All of these imply duration:

Robert swam in the pool while Jane sat in the shade and read.
Sam was repairing his car when the phone rang.
Laura has been here for a week.
Ursula has been waiting for an important letter.
Ellen had collected stamps for years before she finally grew tired of it.
Joseph had been sleeping when Darlene walked in.

CJ

Khoshtip · Answer

Thanks guys. But CJ, I can't accept your first example above, because of the "while".

CalifJim · Answer

khoshtipI can't accept your first example above, because of the "while".

I understand this to mean that you don't believe that the verbs in that sentence signify extended activity through time.

Maybe you mean something other than that? If so, maybe you should explain what troubles you about that sentence.

CJ

had been and were

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