quarrel
noun
an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.
had been quarrelling
-
past perfect progressiveof quarrel.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.
She was smiling, and the children were laughing, though there were traces of tears on their cheeks; for they had been quarrelling when Melody found them in the fields and brought them away.
From Melody : the Story of a Child by Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe
If Nurse had not been scolding her, then Barbara had been quarrelling with her.
From Consequences by Delafield, E. M.
Mr. Flexen thought that he might not have to go very far afield to find the woman who had been quarrelling with Lord Loudwater at a few minutes past eleven the night before.
From The Loudwater Mystery by Jepson, Edgar
They had been quarrelling, of course—it was too bad, Alix thought, but her own course was clear.
From Sisters by Norris, Kathleen Thompson
A little boy had been quarrelling with his sister named Muriel just before going to bed.
From Children's Ways by Sully, James
