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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Having done

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having done" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to refer to an action that has already happened in the past, or to introduce a contrast to something in the present. For example: "Having done all the grocery shopping, all that was left was to start dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marshall denied having done anything wrong.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I should know, having done it.

News & Media

The New York Times

"And having done it made them sicker".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Having done that, take an ocean voyage.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I feel slightly grubby having done it".

News & Media

Independent

He may leave having done the opposite.

News & Media

The Economist

Let's enjoy having done it.

(It denied having done so).

News & Media

The Guardian

Ma denies having done so.

News & Media

The Guardian

They're not evil for having done this.

News & Media

The New York Times

official" of having done anything wrong.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While versatile, "having done" may sound more formal than simpler alternatives like "after doing" in casual settings.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "having done" when the sequence of actions isn't crucial, as it can overcomplicate the sentence. If the timing is irrelevant, a simple conjunction might suffice.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having done" functions as a perfect gerund phrase, modifying a clause by indicating a completed action that precedes the action in the main clause. As Ludwig AI notes, this is a correct and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

⚠ Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having done" is a grammatically sound and frequently used perfect gerund phrase that Ludwig AI confirms is correct in written English. It functions to clarify the sequence of actions, indicating that one action was completed before another began. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it can be considered neutral to formal in register. Use it to establish temporal clarity in your writing, while also remembering to adapt it to the formality of the context. Consider related phrases like "after completing" or "once finished" as needed to achieve the desired effect.

FAQs

How can I use "having done" in a sentence?

Use "having done" to indicate that one action was completed before another began. For example, "Having done my homework, I went out to play" shows homework preceded playtime.

What are some alternatives to "having done"?

When is it appropriate to use "having done"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that completing one action directly precedes or enables another, creating a clear sequence. For example, "Having done the research, I presented my findings" clearly links the actions.

Is "having done" formal or informal?

While versatile, "having done" tends to be more formal than simpler alternatives like "after" or "once". Choose based on your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: