tremble
verb (used without object)
to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver.
had been trembling
-
past perfect progressiveof tremble.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.
When I left, I realized I had been trembling.
From New York Times ● Aug. 25, 2013
He had been trembling so much when he handed her the small box he’d wrapped it in.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
Sierra realized her hands had been trembling, clenched in tight fists.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
Her capacity of judging between the real and the unreal had been trembling in the balance.
From A Duel by Richard Marsh
But, though she sat motionless and speechless, she knew that he had been trembling so violently and that his hands were still so tremulous he could play no more.
From The Deserter by Charles King
