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.
The family were knocking on doors in Bexhill, East Sussex, in October 2024, when a dog ran out and bit Alfred's face.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
Back then rising mortgage rates were knocking many buyers out of the market.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2025
Amid the tumult, filmmakers were knocking on Elordi’s door.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2025
The diggers were knocking down the town's Honda factory, 35 years after Margaret Thatcher lured the Japanese car giant to the UK.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2024
To my relief, a rap-rap-rap sounds out as I do so, as if I were knocking on wood.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
