do
verb (used with object)
to perform (an act, duty, role, etc.).
had been doing
-
past perfect progressiveof do.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 his death, his obituary paid tribute to his love of Montana—while also revealing the work he and Jones had been doing together to build a livestock auction company, as well as a rodeo.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
Uber cut its target valuation, but its shares still fell after its debut, even in a market where other tech listings had been doing well.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
When the revival came around, it was easy to slip back in because we had been doing this banter for so long.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026
“It started as a complaint about a Pride display, which we had been doing for years.”
From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2026
Calder’s dad said he remembered hearing that Mrs. Sharpe’s husband had been murdered in Europe many decades ago, and that he had been doing research on Vermeer at the time of his death.
From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett
