Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Marine Corps, had been walking home from his job as a substitute teacher at the school.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
Lamin Kongira said he had been walking past when a shopkeeper ran out shouting "fire, fire".
From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026
Lamin Kongira told BBC Scotland News he had been walking past when a shopkeeper ran out saying "fire, fire".
From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2026
A year earlier, Paul Earle had been walking the aisles of Chicago grocery stores with a notebook and pen when he stopped in front of the familiar blue wall of Kraft boxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
He had been walking up some stairs when he was jostled by a warder, causing his hat to fall to the floor.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
