investigate
verb (used with object)
to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
had been investigating
-
past perfect progressiveof investigate.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 department had been investigating the central bank’s spending on renovations of its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
From Barron's ● Apr. 25, 2026
Burbank Police already had been investigating, according to the indictment, after the owner told police his home had been sold without his knowledge.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2026
They said the report into Foden had been "investigating such allegations for over a year, and we have already committed to acting on all conclusions and recommendations fully and without delay".
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2025
By the time Attorney General Merrick Garland named the prosecutor to the job—in November 2022—the Justice Department had been investigating the events of Jan. 6 for 22 months and had charged hundreds of people.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025
When it had gone past, he crossed the road, keeping his eyes on the spot where the cat had been investigating.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
