survey
verb (used with object)
to take a general or comprehensive view of or appraise, as a situation, area of study, etc.
had been surveying
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past perfect progressiveof survey.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.
It was one of nine ships in the country's small naval fleet, and had been surveying an area of sea floor that had not been mapped in decades when it ran aground.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2025
The UH60 helicopter, known as a Black Hawk, had been surveying the local area at the time it disappeared.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2024
The state-run China News Service said Chinese authorities had been surveying sites for lighthouses on five islands, known in English as North Reef, Antelope Reef, Drummond Island, South Sand and Pyramid Rock.
From Reuters ● Aug. 7, 2014
The Washington Business Journal reported last month that The Post had been surveying users about potential options.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 18, 2013
At this juncture, Colonel Isaac Shelby returned from Kentucky, where he had been surveying land for the great company of land speculators headed by Henderson, Hart, and others.
From Godey's Lady's Book, Vol. 42, January, 1851 by Various
