Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
UnCommon Law has been petitioning the parole board to make an official determination that the tests from that time period won’t be use in its decisions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2025
The Witches of Scotland group has been petitioning Holyrood to pardon those convicted under the act, with QC Claire Mitchell saying it would correct as far as possible a "terrible miscarriage of justice".
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2022
Since December, the USW has been petitioning local politicians to do everything they can to save their jobs.
From Fox News ● Jul. 11, 2021
One mother has been petitioning authorities since receiving a letter on March 30 from her daughter - one of at least 20 Belgian women in the camps.
From Reuters ● Nov. 1, 2018
Legislative Action and Laws: The suffrage association has been petitioning the Legislature since 1870.
From The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV by Ida Husted Harper
