grow
verb (used without object)
to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
had been growing
-
past perfect progressiveof grow.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.
The family farm had been growing coconuts and mango, but he had another crop in mind - dragon fruit.
From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2026
The company had been growing quickly in the U.S., where it produces about 1 million barrels per day in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico.
From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026
But their presence had been growing until higher mortgage rates slowed their purchases, alongside those made by traditional buyers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
Enrollment at Odyssey Charter Schools’ two campuses — which included elementary and middle-school grades — had been growing before the fire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2025
The rage mingled with the general melancholy that had been growing in her steadily since the bombing of Pearl Harbor; it was one of the rare times in Fujiko’s adult life when she felt inconsolable.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
