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

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

I had been investigating climate change as a new driver of both large-scale migration around the world and of potential conflict.

From Salon • Nov. 14, 2024

She was given a microphone and she spoke into it, telling the congregation what she’d told the reverend, that she had been investigating Islam, and that—The preacher cut her off.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers