detect
verb (used with object)
to discover or catch (a person) in the performance of some act.
had been detecting
-
past perfect progressiveof detect.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.
The center’s tech crews had been detecting frequent hackings of U.S. military computer networks, and had come up with ways to counter them—but few senior officers took notice or cared.
From Slate ● Mar. 7, 2016
