pass
verb (used with object)
to move past; go by.
had been passing
-
past perfect progressiveof pass.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.
Piotr Szczerek, a Polish chief executive of a paving firm, said he was "convinced" tennis star Kamil Majchrzak had been "passing his hat in my direction".
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025
Some of these were impulsive — yet heartfelt — attempts to "catch up" on a life that had been passing me by.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2023
He said four local residents were injured as they had been passing the school in Romny, which is part of the Sumy region.
From Reuters ● Aug. 23, 2023
For months, he had been passing coordinates of Russian army movements to friends connected to Ukrainian forces.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 10, 2023
As it was getting late and the confusion was great—countless Jews had been passing as non-Jews—the Lageralteste had decided that a general roll call would take place the next day.
From "Night" by Elie Wiesel
