empty
adjective
containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents.
had been emptying
-
past perfect progressiveof empty.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 hospital had been emptying slowly, invisibly, for many days.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Meanwhile Mrs. Ling had been emptying the basket.
From Say and Seal, Volume II by Susan Warner
Steadily, week after week, the north had been emptying itself of its picturesque tide of life and voice, of muscle and brawn, of laughter and song—and wealth.
From The Flaming Forest by James Oliver Curwood
The great sala had been emptying itself slowly.
From Nostromo, a Tale of the Seaboard by Joseph Conrad
