Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
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Understand the structure and usage of the Past Perfect Continuous Tense in Passive Voice.
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Identify and correctly use past perfect continuous passive constructions.
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Differentiate between active and passive voice for this tense.
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Use the tense in formal written and spoken English where appropriate.
What Is the Past Perfect Continuous Passive?
The Past Perfect Continuous Passive is used to describe an ongoing action that was happening over a period of time in the past, with the focus on the receiver of the action, not the doer.
Note: This form is grammatically correct, but rarely used in real-life communication. It’s typically found in formal writing, legal, or technical documents.
Structure
Subject + had been being + past participle (V3)
Examples
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| They had been painting the house. | The house had been being painted. |
| She had been cleaning the room. | The room had been being cleaned. |
| The team had been developing the software. | The software had been being developed. |
Formula Comparison
| Tense | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Past Perfect Continuous | had been + verb-ing | had been being + past participle |
Negative Form
Subject + had not been being + past participle
Example:
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The room had not been being cleaned before the guests arrived.
Question Form
Had + subject + been being + past participle?
Example:
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Had the documents been being reviewed before the audit?
When to Use It
Use past perfect continuous passive when:
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The action was ongoing over a period in the past.
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The focus is on the receiver of the action (not the doer).
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You’re writing in formal, technical, or legal contexts.
Examples:
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The bridge had been being inspected for months before it collapsed.
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The data had been being analyzed when the system failed.
Important Usage Note
In most real-life situations, native speakers avoid this complex passive form and prefer simpler alternatives:
