had been shooting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been shooting" 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. Example: "He had been shooting for hours before the rain started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had been shooting rabbits.

The New York Times

He and Gregory had been shooting pucks in the corner.

The New Yorker

He had been shooting up for four years.

The New York Times

For now, the tree lines from where the Taliban had been shooting were quiet.

The New York Times

"That he had been shooting after boats, and shooting after people swimming in the water.

The New York Times

He said the three men had been shooting deer in Mr. Cloyd's S.U.V. before the fires.

The New York Times

But Mr. Dallal said Palestinians had been shooting from the area of Manger Square.

The New York Times

He said they had been shooting at Ukrainian aircraft over the last week.

The Guardian

It was not clear what he had been shooting at, the officers said.

The New York Times

With the way he had been shooting, the Knicks expected something magical.

The New York Times - Sports

Lieutenant Davidson said snipers had been shooting at the soldiers from behind a car.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been shooting" to describe ongoing actions in the past that preceded another event, providing a clear timeline of events.

Common error

Avoid using "had been shooting" when you mean a completed action in the past. "Had been shooting" implies a duration, while "had shot" indicates a finished event. For instance, use "he had shot a deer" not "he had been shooting a deer" if the hunt is over.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been shooting" functions as a past perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that was in progress before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been shooting" is a grammatically correct and very common past perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe an action in progress before another event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is used in various contexts, most frequently in News & Media. When using the phrase, clarity is essential to avoid ambiguity regarding whether you are referring to firearms, photography, or another activity. It's also important to distinguish the meaning of this continuous form from the completed action indicated by "had shot".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been firing

Replaces "shooting" with a synonym emphasizing the act of discharging a weapon.

had been filming

Substitutes "shooting" in the context of recording video footage.

had been taking pictures

Replaces "shooting" with a phrase specifically referring to photography.

had been sniping

Replaces "shooting" with a term emphasizing aimed shots from a concealed position.

had engaged in shooting

Formal alternative using "engaged in" to describe the activity.

had been targeting

Implies that the action of shooting was directed at a specific target.

had been bombarding

Replaces "shooting" with a term indicating a heavy or continuous attack.

had been pelting

Substitutes shooting with a term for repeatedly throwing something at someone.

was in a gunfight

Similar situation with a reciprocal dynamic.

had discharged a firearm

Formal alternative to indicate the firing of a weapon.

FAQs

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

Use "had been shooting" to describe an action that was in progress before another action took place. For example, "He "had been shooting" targets for hours before the competition started."

What is the difference between "had been shooting" and "had shot"?

"Had been shooting" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "had shot" indicates a completed action. For example, "He "had been shooting" all morning" (ongoing) vs. "He "had shot" the winning goal" (completed).

What can I say instead of "had been shooting" when referring to photography?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "had been filming" or "had been taking pictures".

Is "had been shooting" formal or informal?

"Had been shooting" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding vocabulary and subject matter.