cry
verb (used without object)
to utter inarticulate sounds, especially of lamentation, grief, or suffering, usually with tears.
had been crying
-
past perfect progressiveof cry.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.
“I could tell he had been crying, and I said, ’What’s going on?
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
I had been crying and upset, thinking that by the time I arrived at school, I would try to pull it together for the sake of the kids.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2025
She continued that by the time she got home she had been "apoplectic with rage”, and had been "crying all night” because of her experience.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2024
Lee said he was "devastated" and had been "crying every morning" since the crash.
From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2024
“All right, I have then,” said Digory in a much louder voice, like a boy who was so miserable that he didn't care who knew he had been crying.
From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis
