sort
noun
a particular kind, species, variety, class, or group, distinguished by a common character or nature.
had been sorting
-
past perfect progressiveof sort.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.
Lesya Tenderyak, who works in accounts payable, paused to explain why she had been sorting and packing seven days a week.
From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2022
He had a seat on an N.C.A.A. infractions committee and had been sorting through complicated rules violations.
From New York Times ● Dec. 31, 2021
Still, just in case, I had been sorting through training plan options.
From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2020
In February last year he spotted the unusual-looking object on a desk in the company's warehouse in Leyton, east London, where staff had been sorting waste to see what could be recycled or refurbished.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2018
It seems that he had been sorting and destroying letters and papers a few days before his wholly unexpected end.
From The Upton Letters by Arthur Christopher Benson
