function
noun
the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role.
had been functioning
-
past perfect progressiveof function.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.
But the not-working group had been functioning quite well, at least as a charade for delay and obfuscation.
From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2026
“The hotel had been functioning normally, so we hadn’t been worried,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2023
The purchaser of the alleged prototype said that the phone had been functioning fine until a few days ago when it seems to have been remotely wiped.
From The Verge ● Jun. 4, 2022
A 61-year-old patient, disabled by a back injury, had been functioning well for years on 225 M.M.E., he said.
From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2019
It had been functioning pretty well, but around noon on March 14, that had begun to change.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
