Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My mother had been ironing one of her work uniforms and was still holding the hot iron.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
The kitchen was very warm, for Norah had been ironing.
From Four Little Blossoms and Their Winter Fun by Hawley, Mabel C.
They had been ironing and baking all the morning, and now Mrs. Leverett had attacked her pile of shirts, when Mrs. Morse came in.
From A Little Girl in Old Boston by Douglas, Amanda Minnie
It stood there neatly packed, the shirts that Sairy had been ironing laid atop.
From The Long Roll by Johnston, Mary
