form
noun
external appearance of a clearly defined area, as distinguished from color or material; configuration.
had been forming
-
past perfect progressiveof form.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.
"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
He stared down at his project, but when he spoke, he blurted out an idea that had been forming ever since Calypso made his new clothes.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
