trespass
had been trespassing
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past perfect progressiveof trespass.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.
Tribal Chairman John Johnson had previously said residents had been trespassing on illegally built roads on tribal lands and the tribe needed to safeguard what little land it has left.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 13, 2023
It said villagers had been trespassing on the land.
From New York Times ● Apr. 21, 2017
Residents knew that people had been trespassing into the Red Zone, and they were worried about vandalism.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Here we stopped to consider whether we should proceed or retreat, for we were sure we had been trespassing.
From From John O'Groats to Land's End by Robert Naylor
He rather hoped that Joe had been trespassing on the deacon's grounds, and was to be reprimanded.
From Joe's Luck Always Wide Awake by Horatio Alger
