The Past Perfect Continuous

1.Use and meaning

We use the past perfect continuous to emphasize the​​ duration​​ of an activity in the past.

When I arrived home, Jane​​ had been cooking​​ for an hour.

He was tired because​​ he​​ had been playing​​ computer games all night.

2. With reported speech

We use the past perfect continuous​​ in reported speech: the present perfect continuous and the past continuous become past perfect continuous.

“I​​ was walking​​ in the park when I met​​ her.” he said

He said that he​​ had been walking​​ in the park when he had met her.

“I​​ have been living​​ here since 1985.” he claimed.

He claimed that he​​ had been living​​ there since 1985.