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.
He had no idea that what had been happening, essentially right under his nose.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
She then broke down and told her family what had been happening.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025
“We know this type of blockage to entranceways to airports had been happening earlier this year, so we had done a scenario planning specifically to address that,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 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
Ever since he’d fallen through the hole in the wall, things had been happening so fast, it was all he could do to keep up with them.
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
