sparkle
verb (used without object)
to issue in or as if in little sparks, as fire or light.
had been sparkling
-
past perfect progressiveof sparkle.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.
Up until that point - he's been coaching for 39 years- his reputation had been sparkling.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 28, 2011
Just a few days earlier, Margaret Trudeau had been sparkling at a Hollywood party with a beau, Bruce Nevins, head of the company set up to make America fizz with French Perrier water.
From Time Magazine Archive
It was the first vacation he had allowed himself during these four years of his practice, and his eyes had been sparkling as he planned it.
From The Second Violin by Grace S. (Grace Smith) Richmond
"The fireflies had been sparkling and flashing lights all this time, and finally they whispered: "'Have a dance, all of you; we'll give you the light and dance too.
From Daddy's Bedtime Bird Stories by Mary Graham Bonner
Then life had been sparkling sips of every drink, and of none too much; now it was one long still draft, to quench a thirst that would not be quenched.
From Beyond by John Galsworthy
