had been gaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been gaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "By the time the project was completed, the team had been gaining valuable experience in managing complex tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

— "GMA" had been gaining ground since at least last year.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, a new canal project had been gaining momentum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Until the assault, Gbagbo's men had been gaining ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Rick Perry was not far behind him, at 30 percent, and had been gaining ground.

The New York Times

The market-failure school had been gaining strength even before the credit crunch struck.

The Economist

Prokhorov had been gaining in the polls, with twenty per cent of the protesters supporting him.

The New Yorker

Bonds, which had been gaining at equities' expense, fell back a little.

The Economist

On February 12th Utopia, which had been gaining market share, was shut down by Dutch police.

The Economist

Meanwhile Otakar II of Bohemia had been gaining control of Austria, Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, Mr. Nilssen said the idea had been gaining in popularity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For reasons that are debated by the networks, "GMA" had been gaining ground on "Today" since at least last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been gaining" to describe a process of gradual increase or improvement that occurred over a period of time in the past before another event or time marker. This emphasizes the continuous nature of the gain before a specific point in time.

Common error

Avoid using "had been gaining" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. This tense implies a continuous process, not a one-time event. Use simple past or past perfect instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been gaining" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that was in progress over a period of time that ended before another action or point in time in the past. Ludwig confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been gaining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating a process of increase or improvement completed before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in written English. It's prevalent in news and media, encyclopedias and academic contexts. When using "had been gaining", ensure it accurately reflects a continuous action that concluded before another past event, and consider contextually appropriate alternatives such as "had been increasing" or "had been improving" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been increasing

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of growth or rise, emphasizing numerical change.

had been improving

Emphasizes betterment or enhancement in quality or condition.

had been advancing

Suggests forward movement or progress towards a goal or position.

had been progressing

Highlights the ongoing nature of development or evolution.

had been developing

Implies a gradual unfolding or maturation of something over time.

had been accumulating

Focuses on the collection or amassing of something, often in gradual increments.

had been building up

Suggests a gradual increase in intensity or quantity, often leading to a climax.

had been strengthening

Emphasizes the process of becoming more robust or powerful.

had been expanding

Focuses on the increase in size, scope, or extent.

had been rising

Indicates an upward trend or elevation in position or value.

FAQs

How is "had been gaining" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been gaining" describes an ongoing process of increase or improvement in the past before another past event. For example, "The company "had been gaining" market share until the recession hit."

What are some alternatives to "had been gaining"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "had been increasing", "had been improving", or "had been progressing" as alternatives to "had been gaining".

When should I use "had been gaining" versus "gained"?

"Had been gaining" describes a continuous action that occurred over a period of time before another past event. "Gained" describes a completed action in the past. For example, "They "had been gaining" momentum before the election" versus "They gained control after the election".

Is "was gaining" interchangeable with "had been gaining"?

While both describe something increasing, "was gaining" typically refers to a continuous action in the past, whereas "had been gaining" describes a continuous action completed before another point in the past. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the completion of the gaining before a subsequent event.