had been preserving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been preserving" 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 in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "She had been preserving fruits from her garden for weeks before the harvest festival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

General Rikhye, then commander of the United Nations Emergency Force, was asked by the Egyptians to withdraw from the buffer zone where, for a while, UN peacekeepers had been preserving calm.

The Economist

Christopher Turner, keeper of the design, architecture and digital department, said the V&A had been preserving and exhibiting large fragments of architecture since its foundation, including the 17th-century timber facade of Sir Paul Pindar's house in Bishopsgate, London, and the gilded music room saved from Norfolk House in St James Square, London.

The Guardian - Arts

It was in the offices of Broadway Digital Entertainment, a company that had been preserving videotapes of historic theatrical productions that appeared on television, at 30 West Broadway, a block away from 7 World Trade Center, which collapsed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The New York Times

Mr McCullough said the company's "main focus" had been "preserving 2,000 jobs and securing the future of UK coal mining".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But none had been preserved.

The New York Times

That evidence had been preserved.

The Guardian

The official replied that no recordings had been preserved.

The New York Times

Levels were measured in serum from fasting blood, which had been preserved at −70°C.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The bloody shirt had been preserved in Russia.

Los Angeles Times

Interestingly, this structure had been preserved during the optimization.

BMC Systems Biology

In group 1, serum samples collected in 2003 for another study had been preserved.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been preserving" to describe a continuous action in the past, before another event occurred. This helps establish a clear timeline in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense (e.g., "preserved") when you need to emphasize the duration of the action. "Had been preserving" shows the action was ongoing for a period before something else happened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been preserving" functions as the past perfect continuous tense of the verb "preserve". It indicates an action that was ongoing for a period of time before another action or point in the past. This is in line with Ludwig's indication that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been preserving" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe an ongoing action in the past that occurred before another event. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is found across various contexts, including news and media, science, academia, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the duration of the action and its relationship to another past event to provide clear context in your writing. It is better to use it instead of "preserved".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been maintaining

This alternative emphasizes upkeep and continuity of a state or condition.

had been protecting

This alternative highlights the act of safeguarding against harm or damage.

had been conserving

This alternative focuses on the careful management and preservation of resources.

had been safeguarding

This alternative implies a proactive effort to ensure safety and security.

had been keeping safe

This alternative denotes protecting someone or something from danger.

had been sustaining

This alternative emphasizes the act of providing support or nourishment to maintain something.

had been upholding

This alternative conveys maintaining or defending something, especially a principle or law.

had been guarding

This alternative stresses the act of watching over and protecting something.

had been securing

This alternative highlights the action of making something safe and stable.

had been shielding

This alternative suggests protecting something from negative effects or influences.

FAQs

How do I use "had been preserving" in a sentence?

Use "had been preserving" to describe an action that was ongoing in the past for a duration, before another action or event occurred. For example, "She "had been preserving" the old photographs before the flood damaged them".

What are some alternatives to "had been preserving"?

Alternatives include "had been maintaining", "had been protecting", or "had been conserving", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "had been preserving" and "preserved"?

"Had been preserving" indicates a continuous action in the past leading up to another event, while "preserved" simply states that something was kept safe or maintained at some point in the past. The former emphasizes duration, while the latter emphasizes the result.

Is it correct to say "was preserving" instead of "had been preserving"?

While "was preserving" can also indicate an ongoing action in the past, "had been preserving" is more appropriate when you want to show that the action occurred before another specific event in the past. Using "was preserving" may lack the sense of completion or prior action that "had been preserving" provides.