direct
verb (used with object)
to manage or guide by advice, helpful information, instruction, etc..
was directing
-
past progressiveof direct.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
By the late teens he was directing comedies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
"The observers do not allege any verbal instruction or physical conduct that indicated one person was directing or coercing another regarding how to vote."
From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2026
Lloyd Richards again was directing, indicating to Lindo that maybe he wasn’t as bad as he thought he had been.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2026
A few things are already clear from the best video angle out now: Pretti was directing traffic on a Minneapolis street.
From Slate ● Jan. 24, 2026
Directly across the field from him the wringmaster in his neon pink baseball cap was directing the wringers.
From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli
