Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chavez represented Raul “Cool Cat” Rocha, who in 2016 was petitioning to overturn a 25-years-to-life sentence for his third strike — stealing a pair of pants in 1995.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2024
"All he said was, 'Hey, can you guys sign my petition? It's going to help improve voting.' When I asked him exactly what it was he was petitioning for, he couldn't articulate," O'Neal told MLive.
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2022
Katie she was still hopeful a coroner may be able to investigate the circumstances surrounding Oscar's death one day and was petitioning the UK government to change the law.
From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2021
Before we start, I must add that Festus Ezeli was petitioning hard for a red carpet runway pre-show, but we had to settle and move straight to the awards.
From New York Times ● Mar. 5, 2011
However this may be, in 1421 she was petitioning the Crown for aid on account of deep poverty, caused by the overwhelming mass of debts left behind by Edmund, who died intestate.
From The White Rose of Langley A Story of the Olden Time by Emily Sarah Holt
