We have studied the present perfect continuous tense before,

but here it is again one more time:

S + has or have + been + _______ing

I have been riding the same bike for the last eight years.

....and the past perfect continuous here for the first time:

S + had + been + ______ing

I

In the pictures below, notice the words with the "ing" endings. Those are the main verbs in continuous forms.

I had been working on my house all day before I sat down to play my guitar. I have been studying the guitar for many years.
After you had been working all day, you went home to study English on the internet. You have been studying English for only a few years.
He had been having a good day until a thief came into his apartment, took all his money, and tied him up.
She had been swimming for a long time before she got out of the pool.
This little penguin had been living in Antarctica before he was captured and brought to this zoo.
We had been communicating with each other online before we stopped to take a break.We have been using the internet as a means for communication for many years.	I + you = we
You had been playing soccer but then your friend came by and you stopped.
They had been working for many years, but then they retired.

Next: Lesson 18