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.
Slipping her arm in his, she led him through the orchard, where the bluebirds were fluting blissfully in the apple-trees.
From The Miller Of Old Church by Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow
A light breeze fluttered the figured-silk curtains, a blue-bottle buzzed tentatively to and fro outside, and birds were fluting in the trees of the small park and splashing joyously in the fountain.
From The Long Lane's Turning by Hallie Erminie Rives
The valley was filled with the purr of running water; from their rocks the whistlers called forth their soft notes; up on the green plain the ptarmigan were fluting, and rising in white-winged flocks.
From The Grizzly King by James Oliver Curwood
It was May again, and the pipes of Pan were fluting the ancient songs in the ancient racial fields of the memory.
From Life and Gabriella The Story of a Woman's Courage by Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow
A sparrow trilled from the swaying top of a purple ironwood, and from grass, and fence-rail, and awing, meadow larks were fluting everywhere, but the song of no wood-thrush reached his waiting ear.
From The Heart of the Hills by John Fox
