relate
verb (used with object)
to tell; give an account of (an event, circumstance, etc.).
had been relating
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past perfect progressiveof relate.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.
“Oh hang it,” he exclaimed—in no logical connection with what he had been relating to me.
From Chance A Tale in Two Parts by Joseph Conrad
We had entered the Grand Canal while Von Rosenau had been relating his love-tale, and some minutes before he had lowered his sail and taken to the oars.
From Stories By English Authors: Italy (Selected by Scribners) by Laurence Oliphant
A teacher had been relating to his class the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and he asked: "Now, which would you rather be, boys, the rich man or Lazarus?"
From Moody's Stories Incidents and Illustrations by Dwight Lyman Moody
He had been relating a thrilling adventure with a man-eating tiger.
From Weighed and Wanting by George MacDonald
In Lawler's eyes was still that intense light that had been in them when he had been watching Shorty as the latter had been relating what had happened during the night and the morning.
From The Trail Horde by Charles Alden Seltzer
