English learners often get confused between “have been” and “had been.” Both are forms of the verb to be, but they are used in different contexts and tenses. Understanding the difference can improve your grammar, fluency, and writing clarity.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- What “have been” means and how to use it
- What “had been” means and where it fits
- The key differences between the two
- Examples in sentences
- FAQs, practice questions, and quizzes to test your knowledge
By the end, you’ll clearly understand when to use each phrase.
Definition of have been and had been
What Does “Have Been” Mean?
“Have been” is used in the present perfect tense. It connects the past to the present, showing that an action started in the past and continues now, or has relevance to the present.
Examples:
- I have been studying English Grammar for two years.
- They have been to London twice.
- She has been very busy this week.
Key points:
- “Have been” is used with I, you, we, they.
- “Has been” is used with he, she, it.
What Does “Had Been” Mean?
“Had been” is used in the past perfect tense. It describes an action that started in the past and was completed before another past event.
Examples:
- I had been working at the company before it closed.
- She had been studying when the power went out.
- They had been friends before they argued.
Key points:
- Always used to show something happened before another past action.
- Works with all pronouns (I, he, she, we, they).
Have Been or Had Been quizzes
Practice also more related quizzes: Did or Have Quiz
Examples and Exercise of the 10 MCQs on “Have Been or Had Been”
1. Choose the correct sentence:
a) I have been finished my homework yesterday.
b) I have been finishing my homework now.
c) I had been finishing my homework before dinner.
2. Which is correct for present perfect?
a) She have been working hard all week.
b) She has been working hard all week.
c) She had been working hard all week.
3. “By the time I arrived, they ____ waiting for hours.”
a) have been
b) had been
c) has been
4. Which sentence is wrong?
a) I have been to Paris twice.
b) She has been cooking since morning.
c) They had been to Paris last week.
5. “I ____ studying English for two years.”
a) have been
b) had been
c) has been
6. Which is correct?
a) He has been sick yesterday.
b) He had been sick before he went to the doctor.
c) He have been sick yesterday.
7. Choose the correct sentence:
a) We had been friends before moving abroad.
b) We has been friends before moving abroad.
c) We have been friends before moving abroad.
8. “They ____ waiting since 5 o’clock.”
a) have been
b) had been
c) has been
9. Which sentence shows a past action before another past event?
a) I have been working at that company for 5 years.
b) I had been working at that company before it closed.
c) She has been working at that company this year.
10. Choose the correct option:
a) He has been tired last night.
b) He had been tired before he slept.
c) He have been tired all day yesterday.
Answers all quizzes
- c
- b
- b
- c
- a
- b
- a
- a
- b
- b
Difference Between “Have Been” and “Had Been”
| Feature | Have Been (Present Perfect) | Had Been (Past Perfect) |
|---|---|---|
| Time reference | Connects past to present | Refers only to the past |
| Usage | Ongoing action or experience still relevant | Action completed before another past event |
| Examples | I have been tired all day. | I had been tired before I went to bed. |
Examples in Sentences
- Have Been: I have been learning Spanish for three years.
- Had Been: I had been learning Spanish before moving to France.
- Have Been: They have been busy with work lately.
- Had Been: They had been busy before the holiday started.
FAQs on “Have Been vs Had Been”
What is the main difference between “have been” and “had been”?
“Have been” links past actions to the present, while “had been” refers to actions completed before another past event.
Can I use “have been” in the past?
No, “have been” is only used for the present perfect. Use “had been” for past perfect situations.
Which is correct: “I have been there yesterday” or “I was there yesterday”?
The correct form is “I was there yesterday” because specific past time markers (yesterday, last week) do not use “have been.”
Do native speakers use “had been” often?
Yes, especially in storytelling and writing to describe sequences of past events.
What’s the difference between “has been” and “had been”?
“Has been” = present perfect (he/she/it). “Had been” = past perfect (any subject).
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “have been” and “had been” is key to mastering English grammar.
- Use have/has been to show something started in the past and still matters now.
- Use had been to show something happened before another past event.
Practice with examples, quizzes, and real-life sentences, and soon you’ll use both forms with confidence.