debate
noun
a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints.
had been debating
-
past perfect progressiveof debate.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.
Lawmakers had been debating three separate resolutions related to the war.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 21, 2024
“Archaeologists had been debating the origins of the Swahili people,” Brielle says, “and the whole time they had their own story—which, it turns out, might not be mythology.”
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 29, 2023
In Kansas, lawmakers had been debating sports gambling since 2018, but betting companies held out for sweeter deals, and the bills stalled.
From New York Times ● Nov. 20, 2022
He insisted Nato had been debating subsea safety for a long time.
From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2022
I had been debating whether I should drive him away if I met him.
From The Wonder by J. D. (John Davys) Beresford
