was sieving

• past progressive

  past progressive

  Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.

  of sieve.
  sieve

  noun

  an instrument with a meshed or perforated bottom, used for separating coarse from fine parts of loose matter, for straining liquids, etc., especially one with a circular frame and fine meshes or perforations.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

was sieving

"By golly, I guess you think you own this town!" an embittered labourer complained, one day, as Georgie rode the pony straight through a pile of sand the man was sieving.

From The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington

Related Words

• colander