had been piloting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been piloting" 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 context. Example: "Before the accident, he had been piloting the aircraft for several hours without any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was not known whether the instructor or the student had been piloting the Model 269 Series helicopter.

The New York Times

When American department store Nordstrom put up a sign, in May 2013, announcing that they had been piloting the technology for months, they received a number of complaints directly to their store but also on social media.

The Guardian - Tech

At an impromptu news conference last night on the beach, Detective Sergeant Edward Fandry of the Suffolk police said officers did not know which man had been piloting the helicopter.

The New York Times

About a year ago, taking my design thinking lessons to heart, I decided to undertake an (almost laughingly) informal poll about the product I had been piloting and iterating all along: me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Data extraction forms had been piloted on two studies.

BMC Public Health

Eligible papers were abstracted using standardized abstraction forms that had been piloted prior to study initiation.

BMC Health Services Research

Prior to 2009, none of the 146 indicators in the original QOF had been piloted.

BMC Family Practice

The questionnaire had been compiled by a research team and had been piloted before using it in the study.

BMC Family Practice

Analyses were restricted to measurements taken from 1975 onwards, once the sampling programme had been piloted and fully introduced.

BMC Public Health

Some may ask why we didn't take a nurse-led intervention 'off the shelf' that had been piloted elsewhere.

BMC Pediatrics

The investigators extracted study information and data onto a standardised data collection form, which had been piloted.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been piloting" to describe a continuous action in the past that occurred before another event. It emphasizes the duration and prior nature of the piloting activity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been piloting" to describe a single, completed action in the past. Use the simple past tense ("piloted") instead for finished actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been piloting" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect continuous tense. It describes an action of controlling a vehicle or project that was ongoing for a period of time before another event or point in time. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been piloting" is a grammatically correct verb phrase in the past perfect continuous tense used to describe an ongoing action of controlling something before a specific point or event in the past. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare and found primarily in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys a continuous action preceding another event. Alternative phrases like "had been operating" or "was in control of" can be used depending on the context. Understanding its proper tense and usage is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been flying

This alternative is specific to aircraft, replacing "piloting" with a more common synonym directly indicating aerial navigation.

had been operating

This alternative is a more generic substitute for piloting. "Operating" can apply to a wider range of machinery or systems.

was at the controls

This alternative uses a different structure, focusing on physical control, implying the person was actively using the controls.

had been steering

This alternative uses "steering" which is more specific in indicating guidance or direction control.

had been navigating

This alternative, "navigating", focuses more on the directional aspect of piloting, emphasizing pathfinding.

was in control of

This alternative replaces "piloting" with a broader term, "in control of", indicating management or command rather than specifically flying or operating.

was guiding

This alternative uses "guiding", focusing on leadership and direction of a project

had been managing

This alternative replaces the hands-on "piloting" with the more administrative "managing", suggesting a higher-level control.

had been directing

This alternative uses "directing", which is a more formal and authoritative term than piloting.

had been at the helm of

This alternative uses "at the helm of", which is a more figurative expression suggesting leadership and guidance, not just control.

FAQs

How is "had been piloting" different from "was piloting"?

"Had been piloting" indicates an action that was in progress before another event occurred. "Was piloting" simply describes an action in progress at a specific time in the past, without necessarily implying another subsequent event.

What are some alternatives to "had been piloting"?

Alternatives include "had been operating", "was in control of", or "had been flying", depending on the specific context.

Is "had been piloting" formal or informal language?

"Had been piloting" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it appears more frequently in news, science, and formal business writing.

How to use "had been piloting" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's role before an incident, like, "It was not known whether the instructor or the student "had been piloting" the helicopter before it crashed."