had been discussing

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been discussing" is correct and it is often used in written English.
It is the past perfect continuous form of the verb "discuss", which is used to indicate that an activity in the past had been going on for some time and was still happening when something else happened. For example: "We had been discussing the project for several hours when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was everything we had been discussing.

The New York Times

We had been discussing our incompatibilities for years.

The New York Times

We had been discussing the field all week.

The New York Times

Republicans had been discussing the idea for years.

The New Yorker

"We had been discussing running them around entertainment shows.

Independent

She often instantly forgot what she had been discussing.

The New York Times

We had been discussing the riots that bear his name.

The Guardian

"This person had been discussing the ramifications of the leadership result with their children and family".

Independent

Merrill's fixed-income and finance departments had been discussing how to value the C.D.O.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nobody has been discussing policies.

The Economist

Jerry: We've been discussing that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been discussing", ensure that the context clearly indicates the period over which the discussion took place. This helps establish a clear timeline for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "had been discussing" when a simple past tense, like "discussed", would suffice. "Had been discussing" is most appropriate when emphasizing the duration of the discussion leading up to another event in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been discussing" functions as the past perfect progressive or continuous tense of the verb "discuss". Ludwig AI examples show it describing an action that was in progress over a period of time before another action or point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been discussing" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate an ongoing conversation or deliberation in the past, prior to another event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Academia contexts. When using this phrase, focus on clarity and context, ensuring that the duration of the discussion is clear. Remember to avoid using "had been discussing" when a simple past tense would suffice and choose related phrases, like "had been talking about" or "had been considering", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been talking about

Uses a more general verb, "talking", to indicate a less formal discussion.

had been considering

Suggests a more thoughtful and evaluative process than a simple discussion.

had been deliberating on

Implies a formal and careful consideration of a matter.

had been contemplating

Indicates a deep and prolonged thought process.

had been negotiating

Suggests a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

had previously addressed

Focuses on the act of bringing something to attention in the past.

had touched on the subject of

Implies a brief or superficial discussion.

had exchanged views on

Highlights the sharing of opinions rather than a deep dive.

had conferred about

Emphasizes a collaborative consultation.

had thrashed out

Suggests a vigorous and potentially contentious discussion.

FAQs

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

Use "had been discussing" to describe an ongoing conversation or deliberation that took place over a period of time before another event occurred in the past. For example, "They "had been discussing" the contract terms for weeks before finally reaching an agreement."

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

You can use alternatives like "had been talking about", "had been considering", or "had been deliberating on" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases can be correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Were discussing" indicates a past continuous action, while "had been discussing" emphasizes that the discussion had been ongoing for a period before another point in the past. For example, "They were discussing the budget" simply states the activity, whereas "They "had been discussing" the budget before the meeting adjourned" provides more context about the duration.

What's the difference between "had been discussing" and "had discussed"?

"Had discussed" implies a completed action in the past. In contrast, ""had been discussing"" suggests that the discussion was in progress over a period of time before something else happened. The continuous form highlights the duration and ongoing nature of the conversation.