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.
That would further reduce oil flows since Iranian vessels have been sailing since the conflict started.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
Behind them is the Bel Espoir, a schooner vessel on which the youths -- whether from Libya and Egypt or France and Bosnia -- have been sailing the Mediterranean to promote peace.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2025
Magistrates are investigating why there were more people than permitted aboard - and whether it should have been sailing on the lake at all given the bad weather.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2023
Magistrates are investigating whether there were more people than permitted aboard the boat and whether it should have been sailing on the lake given the bad weather.
From Reuters ● May 31, 2023
This morning and all day long we have been sailing past the huge outlines of mountainous Formosa, that rich island off the coast of China, between Shanghai and Manila.
From Flash-lights from the Seven Seas by Francis John McConnell
