carry
verb (used with object)
to take or support from one place to another; convey; transport.
had been carrying
-
past perfect progressiveof carry.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.
The East-West pipeline had been carrying roughly 4 million barrels a day before it was shut due to damage caused by drone attacks on Sept. 10.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
It said the bus had been carrying 43 people, including 22 Jordanians.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
The plane had been carrying 64 passengers and five crew to New York when the pilot was forced to make a violent water landing.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The bus had been carrying seven children, a driver and a chaperone at the time of the collision.
From BBC ● May 26, 2026
He ran across to the other side of the cave and grabbed the long trumpet thing, the one he had been carrying when Sophie had first seen him in the village.
From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl
