congratulate
verb (used with object)
to express pleasure to (a person), as on a happy occasion.
had been congratulating
-
past perfect progressiveof congratulate.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.
Moments before, the Twin Falls County clerk’s office had been congratulating Moline, 45, and Newlan, 58.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 9, 2014
Moments before, the Twin Falls County clerk's office had been congratulating Moline, 45, and Newlan, 58.
From US News ● Oct. 8, 2014
Just as much of Washington had been congratulating itself on escaping the severest torments of summer, the week began with a 96-degree reading on the last day of August.
From Washington Post
Piqued at first at being excluded from the U.S.-British foray into the Middle East, the French had been congratulating themselves ever since.
From Time Magazine Archive
Hardly more than a fortnight ago I had been congratulating myself on the prospect of a considerable stay in London.
From The House by the Lock by A. M. (Alice Muriel) Williamson
