sue
verb (used with object)
to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against.
had been suing
-
past perfect progressiveof sue.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.
When Salmond died, aged 69, he had been suing the Scottish government over a botched investigation into harassment complaints made about him.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026
Salmond had been suing over a botched investigation into harassment complaints made about him before he died of a heart attack in 2024.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
When he died aged 69 last year, Salmond had been suing the Scottish government over a botched investigation into harassment complaints made about him.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025
Since 1982, patients had been suing implant manufacturers in court, with millions of dollars awarded in damages.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2022
"Crofts going to marry Bell!" exclaimed Eames, thinking almost with dismay of the doctor's luck in thus getting himself accepted all at once, while he had been suing with the constancy almost of a Jacob.
From The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
