discuss
verb (used with object)
to consider or examine by argument, comment, etc.; talk over or write about, especially to explore solutions; debate.
had been discussing
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past perfect progressiveof discuss.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.
We had been discussing blended families, so we take in the obvious parallel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Earl Spencer told the BBC he had been discussing funeral arrangements with a palace official, who said it had been agreed Princes William and Harry should walk behind their mother's coffin.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
The company had viewed the Stripe/Advent offer as insufficient, and the two sides had been discussing a higher price, The Wall Street Journal reported in August.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
Officials at the Kennedy Center had been discussing moving its ticketing system to Ticketmaster since 2024.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
Agravaine returned tenaciously to the subject which they had been discussing.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
