maintain
verb (used with object)
had been maintaining
-
past perfect progressiveof maintain.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 submarine had been maintaining radio silence and was unaware of the events taking place on the surface.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022
Back in Austin, Republican members said they had been maintaining informal discussions with their Democratic colleagues in an attempt to re-establish a quorum and get back to work.
From New York Times ● Aug. 5, 2021
Sharon, meanwhile, had been maintaining constant pressure on Lt.
From New York Times ● Jan. 23, 2018
Second-placed Van Aswegen said the key to his 65 had been maintaining a positive attitude after dropping two shots at his seventh hole.
From Reuters ● Oct. 27, 2017
Finally her strength gave way, and she was completely prostrated, all the more completely because of the unequal struggle she had been maintaining for the last few months.
From From Wealth to Poverty by Austin Potter
