Phrases (past perfect and past perfect continuous)
The goal of this exercise was to find the right verbs to a group of sentences and use all past perfect tenses possible. I'd like you to check it for me. "Guesses" are between "".
She took a bottle from the bag she "had been carrying" all the way from home. - OK BUT AMBIGUOUS - SHE'D CARRIED THE BAG ALL THAT WAY OR SHE WAS TAKING THE BOTTLE OUT ALL THE WAY = WOULD SOUND BETTER SPOKEN.
The avalanche "had carried" them 500 metres down the mountain but no-one was hurt. YES
We "had applied" for visas well before our departure date, but still hadn't heard anything by the day we were due to leave. YES (TIME INSTEAD OF DAY IS MORE COMMON)
He "had been applying" for jobs, without success, since leaving university. ( Can I rewrite this sentence as the following?) YES
He "had been applying for jobs", without success, since he leaved the university. NO - SIMPLE PAST OF LEAVE = LEFT. YOU CAN SAY THIS BUT THE FIRST SENTENCE SOUNDS MUCH BETTER. REMEMBER NO THE WITH UNIVERSITY!
He "had been flying" all the way from Brazil to see me. (I'm not sure about the verb I'm confused by "all the way") - BETTER IS "HE HAD FLOWN" I WOULD ONLY USE "HAD BEEN FLYING" IF SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME - EG. HE HAD BEEN FLYING ALL THE WAY FROM BRAZIL TO SEE ME WHEN HIS PLANE HAD CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN.
When the plane was diverted, it "had flow" from London to Frankfurt. - IT FLEW. ONLY USE THE PAST PERFECT IF YOU'VE ALREADY TOLD US ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST AFTER IT! IT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE SOMETHING ELSE!
When the plane was diverted, it "had been flying" from London to Frankfurt. (or While instead of When?) YES - IT DIDN'T CONTINUE FLYING THAT ROUTE!
She "had been working" for the same company since she qualified. YES
He "had" finally "worked" his way up from the shop floor to a management POSITION. (Not sure of "work") YES - PHRASAL VERB = WORK UP