stammer
verb (used without object)
to speak with involuntary breaks and pauses, or with spasmodic repetitions of syllables or sounds.
had been stammering
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past perfect progressiveof stammer.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.
I sat stunned, hand still reaching toward the pillow where the envelope had been, stammering, “I... I mean ... I wasn’t...”
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
H. Addington Bruce reports the case of one of Dr. Brill's patients, a young man who had been stammering for several years.
From Outwitting Our Nerves A Primer of Psychotherapy by Josephine A. Jackson
