happen
verb (used without object)
to take place; come to pass; occur.
were happening
-
past progressiveof happen.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.
Corporate investigations and prosecutions that were happening a few years ago “have pretty much been dialed way back,” said Evan T. Barr, a former federal prosecutor now with the law firm Reed Smith.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
So were its transport systems: If this were happening two years ago, the agency likely would have managed the conveyance of Ebola samples from suspected outbreaks to Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, where they could be tested.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2026
He wanted to have his influence and also be tremendously influenced by things that were happening.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 2026
You genuinely believed somewhere in your soul that terrible things were happening on the other side of this door.'
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
I went on digging in the brush with my pointed stick as though nothing at all were happening on the sea.
From "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell
