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
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
The comic character had been forming before that, though.
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2023
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 built a stone of guilt in her chest, and Jam added it to the pile that had been forming there since she told Pet to stay.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
