after having begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after having begun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action was started before another action or event took place. Example: "After having begun the project, we realized we needed more resources to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He died after having begun writing the novel Denis Duval.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(It's where I discovered, after having begun writing this column, that The New York Times was also a sponsor).

The New York Times

Ashman died in 1991 after having begun work with Menken on what would become another Disney success, Aladdin (1992), and Menken subsequently teamed up with lyricist Tim Rice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If Moscow did not de-escalate, Kerry said, international partners would take further steps after having begun work on sanctions, suspended preparations for June's G8 summit in Sochi, suspended military contacts and suspended economic dialogue.

The Guardian

Sonic Team began development of the game in 2006, after having begun work on the core technology, the Hedgehog Engine, in 2005.

Wikipedia

He took off his cap, wrapped his coat around his rifle, exclaimed, "Ah shit," and then committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, twenty minutes after having begun his attack.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Furdon said he decided to move the proms because after-parties had begun to overshadow them.

The New York Times

Transplacental carcinogens of all kinds are most effective late in gestation, generally after organogenesis has begun and after the period of greatest susceptibility to teratogens.

Environmental Health Perspectives

He was killed after he had tried to enter the supermarket moments after Coulibaly had begun his siege, reports said.

BBC

Those disasters happened after you had begun?

The New York Times

Instead, the banks had acquired the mortgages after they had begun foreclosure proceedings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider if simpler alternatives like "after starting" provide sufficient clarity and conciseness. Overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or convoluted.

Common error

Avoid using "after having begun" in contexts where a more straightforward phrasing like "after starting" would suffice. Using overly formal language can make your writing sound pretentious and less accessible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after having begun" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a temporal one. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating when an action occurred in relation to the start of another action, clarifying the sequence of events. This is supported by Ludwig's examples which demonstrate its placement at the beginning or within sentences to provide temporal context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after having begun" serves as a temporal adverbial phrase, indicating that an action followed the commencement of another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while highlighting its relatively uncommon usage. The phrase is most prevalent in formal contexts like News & Media, Encyclopedias, Science and Wiki. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to consider whether simpler alternatives like "after starting" are more appropriate for the desired tone and clarity. Overuse can result in an overly formal or convoluted writing style. While acceptable, be mindful of the context and audience when choosing "after having begun". Ensure its level of emphasis is necessary and doesn't compromise natural flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after starting

This is a more concise and commonly used alternative, replacing the perfect participle construction with a simpler gerund.

once having started

Adds emphasis on the completion of the initial action's commencement before the subsequent action occurs.

subsequent to beginning

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the same sequence of events.

following the commencement of

Replaces the verb with a noun phrase, making the sentence more formal and potentially more cumbersome.

after the initiation of

Similar to the previous alternative, but emphasizes the act of initiating the action.

once the start had occurred

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the event of the start happening.

after a beginning was made

This version uses a more passive construction and emphasizes the establishment of a beginning.

post-commencement

A more concise, albeit less common, way to express the sequence, using a prefix to indicate 'after'.

after the onset of

Focuses on the 'onset' or 'start' of something, which might be suitable depending on the context.

with the beginning behind

Emphasizes that the beginning phase is already completed, setting the stage for the subsequent action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "after having begun" introduces a dependent clause indicating something occurred after a prior action's commencement. For example: "After having begun the project, we realized we needed additional resources."

What are some alternatives to "after having begun"?

You can use alternatives like "after starting", "once having started", or "following the commencement of depending on the desired level of formality".

Is "after having begun" considered formal?

Yes, "after having begun" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "after starting". Choose the phrasing that best suits your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

When is it best to use "after having begun" over other options?

Use "after having begun" when you want to emphasize that an initial action has definitely commenced and set the stage for a subsequent event. However, ensure that this level of emphasis is necessary for clarity and doesn't make the writing sound unnatural.