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Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Past perfect continuous

Hi Everyone,

I know that when we use the past perfect continuous, we usually need a time expression thrown into the mix, like:

' Jan had been shopping for an hour when she realised she didn't have her wallet.'

How about this sentence though:

' Jan had been reading when she suddenly got a headache.'

Can I just confirm that the time expression in this last example is 'suddenly'?

Actually, do we class - suddenly - as a time expression?

or

Is it more like an 'event'?

Thanks
CC. Emotion: wink
  

Top answer

I see no need for such a time expression.

— Mister Micawber

  • I see no need for such a time expression.
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4 Answers
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I see no need for such a time expression.
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Thanks Mr. M.

When would you use the past perfect continuous?
I know the theory, but you can make it fit to SO many scenarios.
Ones that I think could simply just get away with the simple past, or a simpler past aspect.

What is the true pressing need to use the PaPC?

Thanks
CC.
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Mister M meant that the time expression is nice, but not necessary.

' Jan had been shopping when she realised she didn't have her wallet.'
' Jan had been reading when she suddenly got a headache.'
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OH.... Emotion: giggle

Thanks AlpheccaStars.

I do have a tendency to worry about 'missing' something; 'what does s/he know
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