explain
verb (used with object)
to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible.
was explaining
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past progressiveof explain.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.
"I was listening to someone from the German police in one of the sessions and he was explaining how a victim in Germany was defrauded and the money ended up in Hong Kong," he said.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
In context, Mr. Rubio was explaining why the launch happened on Saturday, Feb. 28, instead of some other day, not why it happened at all.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
Panigirtzoglou illustrated how rapid the deleveraging in bitcoin futures was, explaining that the ratio of open interest in perpetuals to the bitcoin market capitalization is a suitable proxy for investors’ leverage in the asset.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2025
"It's very beautiful and I was explaining to my son that, in the end, we can all live together."
From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2025
I was explaining the dénouement when Cloke Rayburn abruptly shouldered through the crowd.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
