fly
noun
any of numerous two-winged insects of the order Diptera, especially of the family Muscidae, as the common housefly.
had been flying
-
past perfect progressiveof fly.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.
Among them was Ian Scott, who had been flying from Melbourne to Venice via Doha.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2026
Ship tracking websites marinetraffic and vesselfinder said the vessel had been flying a Comoros flag.
From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026
The American regional jet had been flying from Wichita, Kan., when it collided with the Army helicopter on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan. 29.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
The pilot had been flying under instrument flight rules, rather than visual flight rules, he said, adding that it was too soon to determine if reduced visibility from weather conditions were a factor.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2025
For example, Kseniia Sanchuk had been flying supply and medical missions on the front lines since the beginning of the war; she was insulted to be sent to Marina’s new group for “training” purposes.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
