had been communicating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been communicating" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action that occurred in the past before another action took place. Example: "They had been communicating regularly before the project was put on hold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He did not deny he had been communicating with Delingpole via Heaton-Harris.

The Guardian

Before this school, the kids had been communicating with their families as best they could.

The New York Times - Science

Ten 5 minute tests later I knew I had been communicating with a very, very clever little Bot.

The Guardian

He had been communicating with an Italian transplant surgeon who had expressed interest in working with him.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the time of his arrest, Mr. Lutchman had been communicating with the handler for a total of five days.

The New York Times

He was helping her buy a woodstove for a vacation home that she owned in Vermont, and they had been communicating daily.

The New Yorker

The company alluded to the actions of one employee who had been communicating with Google's Android app store operator about the tethering apps.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The perils of asbestos and bathhouses might well have been exposed years earlier if people suffering from two very rare cancers mesothelioma and Kaposi's sarcoma had been communicating as freely in the 1960s and 1970s as they can today.

Forbes

That included, with Food's permission, revealing who he had been communicating with.

The Guardian

Since last June, he had been communicating with a Bulgarian woman — who has not been publicly identified.

The Washington Post

Yet longtime Trump associate Roger Stone said repeatedly in 2016 that he had been communicating with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been communicating" to describe an ongoing exchange that happened in the past before another event. This emphasizes the duration and continuity of the communication.

Common error

Avoid using "had been communicating" when referring to a single, completed communication event. Instead, use a simple past tense like "communicated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been communicating" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect continuous tense. It describes an action of communicating that was ongoing for a period of time before another action or point in time in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been communicating" is a verb phrase in the past perfect continuous tense used to describe an ongoing process of communication before a specific point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, especially in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure to correctly indicate the timeframe and avoid using it for single, completed events. Consider alternatives like "had been in contact" or "had corresponded" to fit the specific nuance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had maintained contact

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the communication.

had been in contact

Emphasizes the act of maintaining a connection, without specifying the method of communication.

had exchanged messages

Focuses on the sending and receiving of messages, emphasizing a two-way exchange.

had corresponded

Focuses on written communication, suggesting a formal exchange of messages.

had been sharing information

Focuses on the dissemination of knowledge and data.

had been discussing

Highlights the exchange of ideas and information through conversation.

had been consulting

Suggests a more formal and professional exchange of information and advice.

had been talking

Implies a more informal and conversational exchange.

had been negotiating

Implies a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

had been coordinating

Highlights the act of working together and synchronizing efforts.

FAQs

How do I use "had been communicating" in a sentence?

Use "had been communicating" to describe a continuous act of communication that occurred before a specific point in the past. For example, "They "had been communicating" regularly before the project was put on hold".

What's the difference between "had been communicating" and "had communicated"?

"Had been communicating" implies an ongoing process of communication, whereas "had communicated" suggests a completed act of communication. The former emphasizes the duration, while the latter focuses on the result.

Which is correct, "had been communicating" or "were communicating"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "Had been communicating" is used when describing an action completed before another point in the past. "Were communicating" describes an action happening in the past, without necessarily preceding another event.

What can I say instead of "had been communicating"?

You can use alternatives like "had corresponded", "had been in contact", or "had been discussing" depending on the specific context and type of communication.