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i was running vs i had been running

Both "I was running" and "I had been running" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I was running" is used to describe an action that was happening in the past, while "I had been running" is used to indicate an action that was happening before another action in the past. The choice between the two depends on the specific timeline of events you are describing.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 2494 views

i was running

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe an action that was happening in the past.

Use "I was running" to describe an action that was ongoing in the past. It indicates a continuous action that took place at a specific point in time in the past.

Examples:

  • I was running in the park when it started to rain.
  • She was running late for the meeting.
  • They were running together in the marathon.
  • Sep 7, 2012 ... Forrest Gump "I Was Running" Clip Tom Hanks ... I Was Running Through The Six With My Woes Vine Compilation | Hilarious! | MUST WATCH ...
  • Mar 18, 2015 ... Forest Gump: I Was Running (Drake) - VINE. Krome .... I Was Running Through The Six With My Woes Vine Compilation | Hilarious! | MUST ...
  • Apr 13, 2015 ... Know Yourself/I Was Running Through The Six With My Woes 2016 Drake Remix (Rep: 3 Lettaz). Rep3Lettaz. SubscribeSubscribed ...
  • Feb 13, 2015 ... I was running through the 6 with my woes. And you know how that should goes. You know how that should go. You know how that should go

Alternatives:

  • I ran
  • I used to run
  • I would run
  • I had run
  • I had been running

i had been running

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate an action that was happening before another action in the past.

Use "I had been running" to describe an action that was ongoing before another past action. It shows the duration of the running activity that occurred before a specific point in the past.

Examples:

  • By the time I arrived, he had been running for an hour.
  • She had been running for months before she finally won the race.
  • They had been running together for years before they decided to compete individually.
  • Pluperfect. I had been running you had been running he had been running we had been running you had been running they had been running ...
  • we have been running you have been running they have been running. Past perfect continuous. I had been running you had been running he/she/it had been  ...
  • ... that I realised I had run the wrong way." Past Perfect Continuous - "As soon as he turned round, I realised I had been running after the wrong person." ...
  • PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS. I had been running, we had been running. you had been running, you had been running. he had been running, they had been ...

Alternatives:

  • I had run
  • I had been exercising
  • I had been jogging
  • I had been training
  • I had been participating in a marathon

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