erupt
verb (used without object)
to burst forth.
had been erupting
-
past perfect progressiveof erupt.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 volcano had been erupting in some form since 2011, and was rated at Volcanic Alert Level 2 at the time of the disaster, indicating "moderate to heightened volcanic unrest".
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2023
Before the major 2018 eruption, Kilauea had been erupting since 1983, and streams of lava occasionally covered farms and homes.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2023
But the team’s lucky break came in 2018 when, after Kilauea had been erupting more or less continuously for 35 years, a grand finale-style eruption sequence began at the volcano.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 22, 2022
Before the major 2018 eruption, Kilauea had been erupting since 1983 and streams of lava occasionally covered rural farms and homes.
From Fox News ● Sep. 30, 2021
They were used to getting reports about Mount St. Helens erupting—it had been erupting for a month and a half already.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
