drive
verb (used with object)
to send, expel, or otherwise cause to move by force or compulsion: to drive back an attacking army;
had been driving
-
past perfect progressiveof drive.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.
He had been driving by and stopped to help, like a big, hairy angel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026
Berger told Belgian TV that the minibus driver had been driving on a street parallel the railway and then turned left onto the level crossing while the barrier was already down.
From BBC ● May 26, 2026
Hinkley had been driving the couple’s Tesla and was making a left turn at the intersection of Cherry Valley Boulevard and Roberts Street in the city of Calimesa.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
The court heard Fountain, a groundworker, had been driving a BMW at the time of the crash.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2026
But War Chief was only battling the paint which wouldn’t wash off, and it had been driving him crazy.
From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos
