Past perfect continuous: Had been investigating ...
I have made up two similar examples below.
(1) (Suppose that I am visiting my friend at night. I am talking to him about something right now.) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house. For the last eight days, the police had been (or have been) investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it. This morning, a witness led them to arrest the thief.
(2) (Suppose that I am visiting my friend at night. I am talking to him about something right now.) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house. For the last eight days, the police had been (or have been) investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it. Yesterday, a witness led them to arrest the thief.
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My non-native English speaking friends think the past perfect continuous is wrong in this context. I don't agree with them. I have given my reasons below.
Regarding (1), the present perfect continuous makes the second sentence sound like the police are still looking for the thief.
Regarding (2), the present perfect continuous is obvious wrong because the arrest was made yesterday.
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I believe that the past perfect continuous tense is correct. What is your opinion? Thanks a lot for your help.
Top answer
(1) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house. For the last eight days, the police have been investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it. This morning, a witness led them to arrest the thief.
- (1) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house.
- For the last eight days, the police have been investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it.
- This morning, a witness led them to arrest the thief.
- (2) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house.
- For the last eight days, the police have been investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it.
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(1) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house. For the last eight days, the police have been investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it. This morning, a witness led them to arrest the thief.
(2) Someone stole an expensive bicycle from my house. For the last eight days, the police have been investigating the case and trying to figure out who did it. Ye
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