watch
verb (used without object)
to be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens.
had been watching
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past perfect progressiveof watch.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.
And Gil's wife, Gusbimar Gonzalez, who had been watching over the rescue operation the whole time, was able to embrace her husband again.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
The by-election was a petri dish that Labour had been watching closely, because if Burnham could beat Reform on that stage, it might signal that he could beat Reform in a general election.
From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2026
Wall Street had been watching those plans closely following the departure of Calvin McDonald from the top job earlier this year.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 22, 2026
Zuckerberg had been watching nervously as other tech behemoths built up their AI faculties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
All at once one of the women, who had been watching them, asked, “Do you and your sister go to church here in Indio?”
From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty
