read
verb (used with object)
to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.).
were reading
-
past progressiveof read.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.
The question isn’t what she did with the job but what the people promoting her were reading.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
What we thought we were reading as a “romance” may in fact be more deeply rooted in asymmetrical social structures.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 7, 2026
“It was a private conversation, let’s be honest, who would be happy if the whole nation were reading their messages? At the very least, I exercised poor judgment,” he told Radio Slovakia on Monday.
From Salon ● Feb. 4, 2026
England had a new toy but were reading from the wrong instruction manual.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2025
“Dismay,” said Peach, as if he were reading my thoughts.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
