happen
verb (used without object)
to take place; come to pass; occur.
had been happening
-
past perfect progressiveof happen.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.
Analysis of phone data began to build a very different picture of what had been happening in Kol's home.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
Another told us that, after detectives turned up at her house and told her what had been happening, she "couldn't get out of bed".
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2024
Peck was ultimately arrested in August of 2003 after Bell “exploded” during a phone call with his mother, divulging what had been happening.
From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2024
Irish immigration to New Orleans had been happening since the city’s early days as a French and later a Spanish colony, Kelley said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 15, 2024
It had been happening for years but no one ever got used to him.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
