Past Continuous and Past Perfect
We use Past Continuous (the past form of the Present Continuous):
- to talk about something which was in progress during a period of time in the past I was listening to the news on television at nine o’clock last night. - to give background information It was pouring with rain and she was wondering what to do. - to say that something happened in the middle of something else I was sleeping when my friend called |
We use Past Perfect (the past form of the Present Perfect):
- to talk about a past event which happened before another past event When I had bought some fruit I went back to the beach.After they had eaten, they cleared the table. - to convey the past meaning in the indirect speech She told us she had found the answer. |
Compare:
When I arrived at the pary, Mary left.
When I arrived at the party, Mary had left.
When I arrived at the pary, Mary left.
When I arrived at the party, Mary had left.