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.
The original hearing in October 2022 was told 24 children, aged 12 to 17, had been swimming in the lake when the pontoon overturned.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 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
For the entire season — all his life, really — Escovar had been swimming against able-bodied athletes.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2023
She had been swimming for nearly 24 hours.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2023
By the time I had been swimming for a month or so, I was ready for my first challenge.
From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge
