Using "had been"

[Leofan]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #121 "English Grammar Tenses", question 4

They ......... for 3 hours when the storm suddenly broke.

(a) had been running
(b) have been running
(c) are running
(d) will be running

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #121 "English Grammar Tenses", answer 4

They had been running for 3 hours when the storm suddenly broke.

Correct answer: (a) had been running

Your answer was: incorrect
They have been running for 3 hours when the storm suddenly broke.
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when do i use "had been running"?

Leofan

[Alan]

Hi Leofan,

You use had been (the past perfect) because this happened before the storm broke.

Alan
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