I had the experience of

USAGE SUMMARY

"I had the experience of" is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct phrase in written English that can be used to introduce a narrative describing an experience.
For example, "I had the experience of visiting the Louvre for the first time, and it was a truly awe-inspiring sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I had the experience of going away".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was the first time I had the experience of being an artist," she said.

The New York Times

I had the experience of being the aggressor in gay relationships.

The New York Times

"I had the experience of seeing it in storage, and it piqued my curiosity," she said.

The New York Times

"I had the experience of running a small museum," he explained.

The New York Times - Arts

"Over and over again, I had the experience of, 'Oh, my God.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Although elective politics may not be the long-term career for me, I had the experiences of a lifetime most people can only hope to read about.

Huffington Post

Plus I have the experience of winning the Tour".

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel like I have the experience of challenging on the final day at a major.

The Guardian - Sport

"Practicality is a major consideration – not least because I have the experience of motherhood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have managerial experience, I have the experience of managing in a crisis, I have the experience of surviving in a complicated situation, and look: success, success, success, success.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow this phrase with a gerund (verb + -ing) to clearly describe the activity or situation experienced, for example: "I had the experience of learning to play the guitar."

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when describing the experience. Ensure that the subsequent description maintains consistency with the past tense established by "I had the experience of". For example, avoid saying: "I had the experience of going there, and it is amazing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had the experience of" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for a personal narrative. It introduces a specific event or situation that the speaker underwent, providing context for subsequent details. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I had the experience of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a personal narrative or share an anecdote. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, especially in news and media. While similar alternatives exist, such as "I went through the experience of" and "I encountered the experience of", they each carry subtle nuances. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and consider the specific meaning you wish to convey. The frequency of use is Common and authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I went through the experience of

Uses "went through" instead of "had", emphasizing the process or endurance of the experience.

I encountered the experience of

Replaces "had" with "encountered", highlighting an unexpected or incidental nature of the experience.

I underwent the experience of

Substitutes "had" with "underwent", suggesting a more formal and possibly challenging experience.

I lived through the experience of

Stresses survival or endurance through a potentially difficult experience.

I was privy to the experience of

Indicates that the speaker was included in or allowed to witness an experience.

I was involved in the experience of

Highlights direct participation in the event.

I participated in the experience of

Similar to 'I was involved in', but emphasizes the active role taken.

I gained the experience of

Focuses on acquiring knowledge or skill from the experience.

I had occasion to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the opportunity or reason for the experience.

I found myself in the position of

Focuses on finding yourself in a specific state of being.

FAQs

How can I use "I had the experience of" in a sentence?

Begin with "I had the experience of", then follow with a gerund (verb ending in -ing) to describe the activity. For example, "I had the experience of traveling alone for the first time."

What are some alternatives to "I had the experience of"?

Consider using phrases like "I went through the experience of", "I encountered the experience of", or "I underwent the experience of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have the experience of" instead of "I had the experience of"?

Using "I have the experience of" suggests a continuing or present relevance of the experience, while "I had the experience of" refers to a past, completed event. The choice depends on whether the experience still influences you or is simply a past occurrence.

What's the difference between "I had the experience of" and "I gained the experience of"?

"I had the experience of" simply indicates that you underwent a certain event. "I gained the experience of" implies that you learned something or developed a skill as a result of the event.