gear
were gearing
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past progressiveof gear.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.
England fans were gearing up for a long overnight shift on Sunday to watch their last-16 tie against Mexico.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
The Artemis astronauts were gearing up Saturday for their long-anticipated lunar flyby, including reviewing the surface features they must analyze and photograph during their time circling the Moon.
From Barron's ● Apr. 4, 2026
The strike authorization vote came on the same day as educators in Southern California also signaled they were gearing up to head to the picket lines to demand better pay and working conditions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2026
Concern grew that authorities were gearing up to formally arrest Jin and other church leaders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2025
Back in Detroit, the newspaper strikers were gearing up for a huge holiday demonstration, to show the solidarity of unions against management.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
