tow
verb (used with object)
to pull or haul (a car, barge, trailer, etc.) by a rope, chain, or other device.
had been towing
-
past perfect progressiveof tow.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 crew took refuge on a large barge filled with sand which the tug had been towing when it began to flood.
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2023
Another witness, Dana Thompson, said he saw someone pinned beneath the trailer that Mr. Zhukovskyy’s truck had been towing.
From New York Times ● Aug. 9, 2022
Baginski said a friend of her daughter told her the plane had been towing a banner.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 22, 2022
The couple had been towing their car with an RV that officials said earlier Tuesday had been found stuck in a ditch.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2022
In the morning the island was gone, as was the mass of algae we had been towing.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
