answer
noun
a spoken or written reply or response to a question, request, letter, etc..
had been answering
-
past perfect progressiveof answer.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But he said he discovered that the company had been answering such requests by providing altered IP addresses in which the final sequence of numbers had been replaced with the number zero.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 26, 2023
As the discussion unfolded, Dr. Heinel, who had been answering questions in a dull monotone, suddenly perked up and began nodding frequently, as if encouraging the judge’s line of questioning.
From New York Times ● Nov. 5, 2021
And I knew from personal experience that no one had been answering church phones.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2020
I had been answering her briefly with a few words since my arrival in California.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 30, 2013
He told about the burn, but with none of the belligerent arrogance with which he had been answering the questions kind people had put to him.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
