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had been forming

  • past perfect progressive of form.

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.

See Examples For:

"For one reason or another, we don't see evidence of grounded ridges where they had been forming, and that's the outcome you would expect if the ice is getting thinner."

From Science Daily Mar. 27, 2026

He knew exactly what he wanted to create, as the idea had been forming slowly, ever since his ex-wife and mother of his children died in 2008.

From BBC Feb. 6, 2026

The idea for this book had been forming since maybe 2015, and it was during this time period I finally realized what I wanted it to be.

From Salon Sep. 30, 2024

Workers in an industry that had long been famously union-agnostic at best had been forming bonds, organizing and developing solidarity.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 30, 2023

It was time to bring into play the strategy that had been forming in my mind.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood