had been surprising
- past perfect progressive of surprise.
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.
He noted, however, that inflation data had been surprising “in a bad way” and that continued higher core inflation could push him to think a three-quarter-point move would be needed.
From New York Times ● Jul. 29, 2022
The story has generated a lot of publicity for the relatively unknown group, who formed last year, which the singer admitted had been surprising.
From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2012
The effect of his appearance had been surprising.
From The Man Who Laughs by Hugo, Victor
Certainly the luck of the "Blue Boar" had been surprising.
From The White Feather by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)
"The one who gets the ring in his slice will be married first," announced Mrs. Morton, who had prepared the cake as a surprise for those who had been surprising others.
From Ethel Morton's Holidays by Smith, Mabell S. C. (Mabell Shippie Clarke)
