Having begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having begun" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a participle phrase and can be used to show that an action took place before the main verb in the sentence. Example: Having begun his journey at sunrise, John reached his destination just before nightfall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having begun work at the age of 10, Burns attended night school and read extensively.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Having begun in 1975, he continued to work with Ronnie Scott until Scott's death in 1996.

Independent

Having begun to question her previous thinking, Manning contacted Aisha Zia.

Independent

Having begun on a note of poetic confession, Onizawa seizes the banner of patriotism.

The New York Times

Having begun studying the piano the year before, Fredell already knew how to read music.

The New York Times - Arts

Having begun operations in 1802, the market has always been the heart of the neighbourhood.

Britannica

Having begun as an intellectual historian of revolutionary America, he has become a presidential biographer.

The New York Times - Books

Having begun off-Broadway, it also has a local-boy-makes-good appeal.

The Guardian

Having begun with a whimper, it could end up with a first Wimbledon title.

The Guardian - Sport

Having begun with his death, "Resurrection" circles back to Shakur's beginnings.

The New York Times

Having begun at the summit, Monteverdi followed opera as it evolved from an aristocratic to a popular art.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having begun" to clearly establish a chronological order of events, ensuring the action described by the phrase precedes the main verb's action. For instance, "Having begun his career at Newcastle, he went on to play for Toulon."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "having begun" close to the subject it modifies. Incorrect: "Having begun in the 1990s, the impact of Loy Yang B on emissions was significant." Correct: "Loy Yang B, having begun operations in the 1990s, significantly impacted emissions."

Linguistic Context

"Having begun" functions as a participial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun and indicating a completed action that precedes the main verb in the sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, this structure correctly positions the action described by the phrase before the action described by the main verb. The examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

14%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having begun" is a grammatically correct and versatile participial phrase used to indicate an action completed before another. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, most frequently in News & Media. To use it effectively, ensure it modifies the correct subject and maintains a clear chronological order. Avoid misplaced modifiers for clarity. Though adaptable, it holds a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. Alternatives like "after starting" can be employed for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after starting

Focuses on the temporal sequence, emphasizing what happens after the initial action.

once initiated

Highlights the formal commencement or launch of something.

subsequent to starting

Emphasizes the temporal relationship following the beginning of an action.

following commencement

Indicates a formal start and the events that follow.

with the initiation of

Emphasizes the act of initiating something.

since its inception

Focuses on the period after something was formally created or started.

from the start

Highlights the very beginning and subsequent actions.

at the outset

Indicates the initial stage or commencement of an event or activity.

in the wake of starting

Indicates that something happens as a result of an initial start.

post commencement

Highlights the period after a start.

FAQs

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

Use "having begun" as a participial phrase to indicate an action that occurred before the main verb's action. For example, "Having begun his studies, he realized the complexity of the subject."

What are some alternatives to "having begun"?

You can use alternatives like "after starting", "once initiated", or "following commencement" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "having began" instead of "having begun"?

No, "having began" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle form of 'begin' is 'begun'. Therefore, the correct phrase is "having begun".

How does "having begun" differ from "after beginning"?

"Having begun" and "after beginning" are similar, but "having begun" often implies a more immediate connection to the subsequent action. "After beginning" might suggest a slightly longer or more distinct separation in time.