had been progressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been progressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or development that started in the past and continued up to a certain point in time. Example: "The project had been progressing well until unforeseen circumstances caused delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The work had been progressing very slowly, Mr. Gusain said.

The New York Times

However, last week, Steadman highlighted how well Hargreaves had been progressing.

Independent

Ordonez left Shea Stadium without comment, but Alfonzo said Ordonez was frustrated because he thought he had been progressing.

The New York Times - Sports

The Pakistan captain had been progressing stoically, demonstrating to his colleagues that this pitch was no Mancunian minefield.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a horrible game, a blot on a Six Nations that had been progressing quite dramatically.

The Guardian - Sport

The clinical sessions had been progressing for a year when Thomas abruptly turned his back on them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We've been progressing but today was a setback.

The Guardian - Sport

Land reform has been progressing too slowly, Mr Malema says.

The Economist

Digital display technology has been progressing towards curved screens.

BBC

Compound 16 has been progressed to clinical development.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

He said although there had been progress, it was insufficient.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been progressing" to describe a process or situation that showed continuous development up to a specific point in the past. For example, "The negotiations had been progressing smoothly until the new demands were introduced."

Common error

Avoid using "had been progressing" if the action is still ongoing in the present or was completed recently. Use "has been progressing" or "is progressing" instead. For example, instead of saying "The project had been progressing well recently," say "The project has been progressing well recently."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been progressing" functions as the past perfect progressive tense of the verb 'progress'. It indicates an action that was ongoing for a period of time before another action or point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been progressing" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe continuous development up to a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its suitability spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While alternatives like "had been improving" or "had been advancing" offer nuanced variations, it's crucial to consider the specific timeframe and context to ensure accurate usage. Remember to avoid using this phrase for actions that are currently ongoing; "has been progressing" or "is progressing" would be more appropriate in those cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been improving

Focuses more specifically on the act of getting better, rather than just moving forward.

had been advancing

Implies a more significant degree of forward movement or development.

had been developing

Emphasizes the process of growth and evolution over time.

had been moving forward

Highlights the act of overcoming obstacles and advancing towards a goal.

had been proceeding

Suggests a more formal or structured advancement.

had been evolving

Emphasizes a gradual transformation or change.

had been unfolding

Implies a revealing or uncovering of events or information.

had been shaping up

Suggests the formation of something promising or positive.

had been getting along

Focuses on making satisfactory progress toward completion of something.

had been on track

Highlights adherence to a planned course or schedule.

FAQs

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

"Had been progressing" indicates a continuous action or development in the past leading up to a specific point. For instance, "The construction "had been progressing" until the rain began" or "His recovery "had been progressing" well after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to "had been progressing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had been improving", "had been advancing", or "had been developing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "had been progressing" and "has been progressing"?

"Had been progressing" refers to an action that started and continued in the past up to a certain point, whereas "has been progressing" describes an action that began in the past and is still continuing in the present.

Is "had been progressing" formal or informal?

The phrase "had been progressing" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news articles, scientific papers, business reports, and everyday conversations.