5.49 used with the past perfect

When you use the past perfect to describe a repeated event that took place before a particular time in the past, you use an adjunct of frequency to indicate how often it was repeated.

• Posy had always sought her out even then.
• The house keeper mentioned that the dog had attacked its mistress more than once.

The use of the past perfect to describe events that occurred before a particular time in the past are explained in paragraph 5.37.

5.50

If you are using the past perfect to talk about a situation which did not change in the past, you use an adjunct of duration to emphasize the length of time during which it existed.

• They weren't really our aunt and uncle, but we had always known them.
• All through those many years he had never ever lost track of my father.
• His parents had been married for twelve years when he was born.

5.51

If you are using the past perfect continuous to mention a recent, continuous activity, you can specify when it began by using an adjunct.

• The Home Office had until now been insisting on giving the officers only ten days to reach a settlement.
• Since then, the mother had been living with her daughter.

Adjuncts of frequency or duration can also be added for emphasis.

• The drive increased the fatigue she had been feeling for hours.
• The rain had been pouring all night.

The use of the past perfect continuous to talk about a recent, continuous activity is explained in paragraph 5.35.