Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The roosters had been crowing for some time, and the early pigs were already beginning their ceaseless turning of twigs and bits of wood to see whether anything to eat had been overlooked.
From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck
For nearly two years Dorsey had been crowing because of the defeat of Quicksilver by the black racer from the Vermejo.
From The Ramblin' Kid by Bowman, Earl Wayland
