had been experimenting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been experimenting" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: During the scientist's presentation, she explained that she had been experimenting with different chemicals for the past year in order to find a cure for the disease.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tibbott, meanwhile, had been experimenting with recipes for tempeh burgers.

The New Yorker

"We had been experimenting a lot," Mr. Quinn said.

The New York Times

Katie had been experimenting with film in a primitive way.

The Guardian

He had been experimenting with making more nebulous, shapeless installations, and foam was on his mind.

The New York Times - Arts

1-800-Flowers, the online florist, said it had been experimenting with targeted ads on Facebook.

The New York Times - Tech

Fisher had been experimenting with the word yes for quite a while.

The New York Times - Magazine

Time itself had been experimenting with an idea similar to Miss Wolander's.

The New York Times

The company had been experimenting with building its own Netflix-brand set-top box.

The New York Times - Tech

This foie dish was something else that Chang and Serpico had been experimenting with for a while.

The New Yorker

Lately, Jakubowski had been experimenting with modular designs, producing various machines from a fixed number of versatile parts.

The New Yorker

Smith sang out strongly, choosing to bark rather than to use the mildly strangulated style he had been experimenting with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "had been experimenting" with specific details about the subject and methods to provide clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had been experimenting" without providing context. Clearly state what was being experimented with and, if possible, the purpose or goals of the experimentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been experimenting" functions as the past perfect continuous tense of the verb "experiment". It describes an action that was ongoing over a period of time before another action or point in the past. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been experimenting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes an action ongoing over time before a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news media, encyclopedias and scientific literature, it communicates a sense of exploration and trial. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and purpose of the experimentation. Alternatives such as ""had been testing"" or ""had been exploring"" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been testing

Focuses on the act of putting something to the test to see how it performs.

had been exploring

Emphasizes the act of investigating or inquiring into something.

had been trying out

Highlights the act of trying something to see if it is suitable or effective.

had been investigating

Focuses on a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation etc to establish the truth.

had been piloting

Emphasizes running a trial or preliminary project.

had been playing around with

Suggests informal or casual experimentation.

had been tinkering with

Implies making small adjustments or repairs, often in an experimental way.

had been dabbling in

Suggests a superficial or unserious engagement with something.

had undertaken trials

Emphasizes the undertaking of formal tests or experiments.

had engaged in research

Focuses on a systematic investigation into a subject to discover or revise facts, theories, etc.

FAQs

How can I use "had been experimenting" in a sentence?

You can use "had been experimenting" to describe a past activity that involved trying out new things. For example, "The chef "had been experimenting" with new spices to create a unique dish."

What are some alternatives to "had been experimenting"?

Some alternatives include "had been testing", "had been exploring", or "had been trying out", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had been experimenting" formal or informal?

"Had been experimenting" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

Which is correct, "had been experimenting" or "was experimenting"?

Both "had been experimenting" and "was experimenting" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Had been experimenting" implies that the experimentation occurred over a period of time leading up to a specific point in the past, while "was experimenting" simply describes an action in progress at a particular time.