depend
verb (used without object)
to rely; place trust (usually followed by on orupon ).
had been depending
-
past perfect progressiveof depend.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.
After almost a year, Hickman stopped sending the quotes, but Williams texted to keep them coming because he had been depending on those words.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 5, 2021
He had been depending on a British high court judge – "his lordship" as he chose to put it – to give him the justice he sought.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 26, 2012
In May this year M&B told investors it had ditched its long-standing auditors Ernst & Young, upon whom shareholders large and small had been depending to ensure a true and fair set of accounts.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 17, 2011
That made her cry, because she had been depending on me.
From "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer
He was very much upset over it as he had been depending upon Tom to look after things until he was well again.
From Grace Harlowe's Golden Summer by Jessie Graham [pseud.] Flower
