after having caught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after having caught" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action of catching has been completed before another action takes place. Example: "After having caught the ball, he quickly passed it to his teammate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Glenn caught just 14 passes this season, after having caught 79 last season.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was like he moved in after having caught nothing and cast a fly into deeper waters".

The New York Times

At an age when many actresses would have called it quits, Ms. Sanford made her feature film debut in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" in 1967 after having caught the eye of its director, Stanley Kramer, in the 1965 Broadway production of James Baldwin's "Amen Corner".

The New York Times - Arts

Despite Maine's travails, the Mets still made a game of it when Castro hit a two-run homer off the former Mets reliever Duaner Sanchez in the eighth, using his repository of experience after having caught Sanchez to predict the slider that he deposited over the left-field wall.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ms. Kligman's account of the painting dates to the summer of 1956 when she was 26 and living in Pollock's house in East Hampton, N.Y., after Krasner, having caught the lovers together, sailed for Europe.

The New York Times - Arts

I discovered Maggie Farrellelongong after everyone else, but having caught up now I can unhesitatingly recommend this nightmarish novel.

The Guardian - Books

Whatever you intend to do with the animal after you've caught it, this needs to be the first step after catching it.

WikiHow

Mets Manager Bobby Valentine removed his best hitter, Mike Piazza, after he had caught only four innings.

The New York Times - Sports

Whittle's case was that he was merely coming back after Shearer had caught him earlier.

The Guardian - Sport

And almost all the time, Hernandez's assortment of moves comes after he has caught one of Tom Brady's passes.

The New York Times - Sports

Even a Munich equalizer, through an Arjen Robben penalty after Weidenfeller had caught the heel of Mario Gómez, could not knock the confidence out of Dortmund.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, ensure the subject performing the catching action is clearly identified, especially when it's different from the subject of the main clause. Example: "After having caught the culprit, the police proceeded with the interrogation."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the phrase "after having caught" close to the subject performing the action. Incorrect: "After having caught the mouse, the kitchen was cleaned." Correct: "After the cat had caught the mouse, the kitchen was cleaned."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after having caught" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause that provides a temporal context. It specifies that an action (catching) precedes the action described in the main clause. Ludwig's examples indicate it is often used in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after having caught" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate that the act of catching precedes another action. Though correct, Ludwig highlights that it's less common than simpler alternatives like "after catching". Its use often lends a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, suitable for news reports or detailed narratives. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by placing it near the subject performing the action to avoid ambiguity. While correct English, writers may prefer using alternative phrasing such as "after catching", because it is more concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once having caught

Replaces 'after' with 'once', emphasizing immediacy following the action.

subsequent to catching

Formal alternative using 'subsequent to' instead of 'after' and converting to a gerund phrase.

following the capture of

Nominalizes 'catching' to 'capture' and uses 'following' as a preposition.

after the act of catching

Adds 'act of' to emphasize the action itself.

with the catching completed

Rephrases to focus on the completion of the catching action.

once the catch was made

Changes the structure to a passive voice, focusing on the catch.

having secured the catch

Uses 'secured' to add emphasis on the action of obtaining.

on catching

A shortened, more concise version using 'on' as a preposition.

post-capture

A very concise, almost technical term.

after a successful catch

Adds an evaluation of the catching action.

FAQs

What does "after having caught" mean?

The phrase "after having caught" indicates that the action of catching something has been completed before another action takes place. It signifies a sequence of events, with the catching occurring first.

Is it better to say "after catching" or "after having caught"?

"After catching" is generally more concise and commonly used. "After having caught" is grammatically correct but can sound more formal or emphasize the completion of the action.

What are some alternatives to "after having caught"?

You can use alternatives like "once having caught", "subsequent to catching", or simply "after catching" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

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

Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what performed the catching action and what happened afterward. For example: "After having caught the thief, the security guard called the police."