B2–C1 · GFA · GFA003

Subject + had been + -ing + for a duration + when + past simple

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Time and aspect”. Compare how English and German express time and aspect. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishSubject + had been + -ing + for a duration + when + past simple

DE · GermanSubject + past verb + schon seit + duration, als + past clause

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Я ждал уже час, когда она позвонила.

EN · English

I had been waiting for an hour when she called.

DE · German

Ich wartete schon seit einer Stunde, als sie anrief.

Try variations2 · more examples

RU · Translation
Мы ехали уже два часа, когда пошёл снег.
EN · English
We had been driving for two hours when it started snowing.
DE · German
Wir waren schon seit zwei Stunden unterwegs, als es anfing zu schneien.
RU · Translation
Он занимался уже несколько месяцев, когда курс отменили.
EN · English
He had been studying for months when the course was cancelled.
DE · German
Er lernte schon seit Monaten, als der Kurs abgesagt wurde.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFA005By + future date, subject + will have been + -ing + for + durationGFA GFA007Subject + had been going to + infinitive, but + past clauseGFA GFA011It has been + duration + since + subject + last + past verbGFA GFA006Subject + was/were about to + infinitive + when + past clauseGFA

03Try variations2 · more examples

Continue with nearby patterns

Try variations2 · more examples