swim
verb (used without object)
to move in water by movements of the limbs, fins, tail, etc.
had been swimming
-
past perfect progressiveof swim.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.
"Most of the people we rescued were those who had been swimming away from the vessel," said the spokeswoman.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
A major search and rescue operation is under way after a 15-year-old boy who had been swimming at a nature reserve went missing.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
The parents claimed that Noah had been swimming in the complex’s pool and stopped breathing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 29, 2024
On Sunday night, a man who had been swimming in the river near Magnolia Gardens Park went missing, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 17, 2023
He had been swimming for almost two minutes, but it felt closer to ten.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
