had been flying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had been flying' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or action that began in the past and continued up to a point in the past. For example: Robert had been flying his kite for hours when the wind suddenly died down.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Montenegro forward had been flying.

The Guardian - Sport

A second helicopter had been flying with the MH-60.

The New York Times

He had been flying the Ju-52 regularly since 2004.

The New York Times

She had been flying since she was 12.

The Guardian

He had been flying home from a summit in Russia.

The Guardian

The aircraft had been flying circuits over Sussex while dumping fuel to reduce its weight.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

American officials said the Predator had been flying 16 nautical miles off the Iranian coast.

The New York Times

Siebold, who had been flying Virgin Galactic's spaceships for a decade, had to rely on his experience and his instincts.

Los Angeles Times

The waiter told me the bird had appeared late morning the day before and had been flying around ever since.

Huffington Post

Up to then most Irish-registered ships had been flying the red ensign of the United Kingdom Merchant Navy.

Wikipedia

It had been flying at 32,000 feet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been flying", ensure the context clearly establishes the duration and timeframe being referenced. For example, "By the time the storm hit, the pilot had been flying for six hours".

Common error

Avoid using "had been flying" when a simple past tense like "flew" or a past perfect tense like "had flown" would be more appropriate. "Had been flying" indicates a continuous action up to a specific point in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been flying" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that was in progress before another action or point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showcasing the phrase's use in describing ongoing activities in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been flying" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase, describing a continuous action leading up to a point in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure proper tense usage and context to avoid common errors. For alternative expressions, you can use phrases like "was flying" or "had flown", each with subtle differences in meaning. Remember to consider the duration and timeframe when incorporating "had been flying" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had flown

A simpler past perfect tense emphasizing completion.

was flying

Omits the sense of continuous action over a period.

had been piloting

Similar, but emphasizes the act of piloting.

had piloted

Emphasizes the act of piloting or controlling an aircraft.

was airborne

Focuses on the state of being in the air.

had navigated

Highlights the navigational aspect of flying.

had been operating

Broader term implying control over machinery, not just aircraft.

had journeyed by air

Emphasizes the travel aspect of flying.

had taken to the skies

A more figurative and evocative way to describe flying.

had soared

Focuses on the graceful, upward movement during flight.

FAQs

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

Use "had been flying" to describe an action of flying that started in the past and continued until a specific time in the past. For example, "The plane "had been flying" for hours before the storm hit".

What's the difference between "had been flying" and "had flown"?

"Had been flying" emphasizes the duration of the flight, while "had flown" simply states that the flight occurred. Use "had been flying" when you want to highlight the continuous nature of the action.

Is there a more formal way to say "had been flying"?

While "had been flying" is suitable for most contexts, you could use "had been piloting" or "had been navigating" depending on the specific aspect of flying you want to emphasize.

When is it incorrect to use "had been flying"?

It's incorrect to use "had been flying" if you're simply stating that a flight happened without emphasizing its duration or continuity. In such cases, "had flown" is more appropriate.