had been hovering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been hovering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred, often indicating a sense of waiting or uncertainty. Example: "The drone had been hovering over the field for several minutes before it finally landed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Temperatures had been hovering in the 90s for seven days running.

The New York Times

The allegations against Cosby had been hovering in the wings for years, and even decades.

The Guardian

The rate at which my patients suffered permanent injury to those little organs had been hovering at two per cent.

The New Yorker

Helicopters that had been hovering just over the roof the previous day began to circle higher overhead.

The Guardian

However, oil had been hovering at $27 per barrel in recent months, before rallying by 14% over the past week.

The Guardian

Asked how long he had been hovering, he shrugged and said, "I don't know -- maybe seven years?" He is 11.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

That's where I've been hovering".

The New York Times

Food inflation in recent months has been hovering near 10 percent.

The New York Times

The official dollar-hryvnia rate has been hovering around 16 for a few months.

The Economist

For the last decade death has been hovering, but now it scratches at our door.

The New York Times

Both songs have been hovering at or near the top of the iTunes sales chart.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been hovering" to describe a state of near-motionlessness, anticipation, or lingering presence before a subsequent event or action.

Common error

Avoid using "had been hovering" to describe a continuous action still happening in the present. Use "has been hovering" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been hovering" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase. Ludwig AI’s analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms its use to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action or time. It indicates duration and completion relative to another point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been hovering" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past perfect continuous verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred. It is generally used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives like "had been lingering" or "had been floating" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When writing, remember to use "had been hovering" to describe past actions completed before another event and avoid using it for present continuous actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been lingering

Emphasizes a prolonged presence or delay in leaving.

had been loitering

Suggests a stationary presence with possible negative connotations.

had been floating

Implies a gentle, unsupported movement or state of suspension.

had been suspended

Suggests temporary cessation of movement or action.

had been remaining

Highlights the continuation of existence or presence in a specific place.

had been staying

Indicates a temporary residence or a lack of movement from a location.

had been paused

Implies a temporary interruption of an activity or process.

had been unmoved

Stresses a lack of physical or emotional change or displacement.

had been unmoved

Stresses a lack of physical or emotional change or displacement.

had been awaiting

Implies a state of waiting or anticipation, often in a stationary position.

FAQs

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

Use "had been hovering" to describe something that was nearly motionless or lingering in a place before something else happened. For example: "The helicopter "had been hovering" over the scene before landing."

What's the difference between "had been hovering" and "was hovering"?

"Had been hovering" indicates an action that occurred over a period of time and finished before another action. "Was hovering" simply describes an action in progress at a particular time in the past. Example: "It "had been hovering" for hours when the sun began to set" vs "It "was hovering" at noon".

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

You can use alternatives like "had been lingering", "had been floating" or "had been remaining" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the idea had been hovering in my mind"?

Yes, it is correct. It implies the idea existed in your thoughts for some time without being fully formed or acted upon.