after having devoted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after having devoted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action of devotion has been completed before another action takes place. Example: "After having devoted countless hours to the project, she finally submitted her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He died after having devoted his last years to compiling his second important work, his Geographical Sketches.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After having devoted his public life to the clash with the Palestinians and the Arab states, Peres could write serenely that this world of perpetual conflict "no longer exists": "We are ending a decades-long history dominated by war and embarking on an era in which the guns will stay silent while dreams flourish".

The New Yorker

Via a translator, Muriel reveals that her bitterness was caused by her employers having tossed her aside as obsolete after having devoted her life as a nanny and housekeeper, and having unwittingly prepared her replacement.

Wikipedia

Fed up with repeatedly having to study the composer's harmony textbook, "Harmonielehre," Cage dropped out of Schoenberg's UCLA class in 1936 after having devoted himself to the master for nearly two years.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The problem with this approach is that after you have devoted all that effort and energy at wringing some bucks from the public purse, you will still be beholden to the Philistines for what they like and do not like.

The New York Times

We know how, but in Reeves's opinion, after he has devoted years to calculating the cost of human life in Darfur while waging a more personal battle with leukemia, the only relevant context here is the corresponding numbers of dead.

The New York Times - Sports

However, if you are still struggling even after you have devoted every available minute to homework, talk to your parents or your teacher about it.

WikiHow

The BBC policy of looking after people who have devoted their careers to public service broadcasting is long established and so Thompson, his former BBC colleague argues, must find it odd that Patten claims to have no involvement with such severance deals.

The Guardian

After all, I have devoted my life to fitness, healthy living and nutrition.

Huffington Post

The evidence that petitioner was ready and willing to commit the offense came only after the Government had devoted 2½ years to convincing him that he had or should have the right to engage in the very behavior proscribed by law.

Wikipedia

One Silicon Valley software engineer, for instance, has devoted his after-work life to competing as an ultramarathon cyclist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after having devoted", ensure that the sequence of events is clear and that the action being devoted to is explicitly stated. For example, "After having devoted considerable time to research, the team presented their findings".

Common error

Avoid using "after having devoted" when a simpler past perfect tense would suffice. Overusing this structure can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex; in many cases, "after dedicating" is more concise and equally effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after having devoted" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that describes an action completed before another action takes place. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for written English. The examples demonstrate it sets up a temporal relationship between two events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after having devoted" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to establish a temporal sequence, emphasizing that an act of dedication precedes a subsequent action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is suitable for formal written English, though simpler alternatives like "after dedicating" may be preferred in less formal contexts. While the phrase appears in various sources, it is not very common. When using it, ensure clarity of sequence and consider whether a simpler tense would suffice. The authoritative sources using this phrase include Encyclopedia Britannica and The New Yorker, reflecting its appropriateness in well-edited and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after dedicating

Simplifies the phrase by removing "having", making it more direct.

following dedication of

Replaces the verb phrase "having devoted" with a noun phrase "dedication of", changing the structure.

subsequent to dedicating

Uses "subsequent to" instead of "after", and "dedicating" as a gerund, altering the phrasing while retaining the sequential meaning.

once dedicated

Uses a more concise structure, implying that once the act of dedication is complete, the following action occurs.

upon dedicating

Replaces "after having devoted" with "upon dedicating", offering a more formal alternative with a similar temporal relationship.

following the commitment of

Substitutes "devoted" with "commitment of", highlighting the act of committing time or resources.

post-devotion

A more concise and modern alternative, using "post-" to indicate the time after devotion.

in the wake of dedicating

Uses "in the wake of" to emphasize the consequence or result of dedicating.

with dedication completed

Rephrases to emphasize the completion of dedication before the next action.

after giving over to

Replaces "devoted" with "giving over to", suggesting a yielding or surrender of time or effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "after having devoted" to indicate that an action of dedication or commitment has been completed before another action takes place. For example, "After having devoted his life to public service, he retired peacefully".

What's a simpler way to say "after having devoted"?

You can use alternatives like "after dedicating", which is more concise, or "once dedicated", which implies completion and subsequent action.

Is "after having devoted" too formal for casual writing?

While grammatically correct, "after having devoted" can sound formal. In casual contexts, consider using "after dedicating" or other simpler phrases for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "after devoting" and "after having devoted"?

"After devoting" is a simpler and more direct way to express the same idea as "after having devoted". The latter emphasizes the completion of the act of devotion, but often the simpler form is preferred for clarity and conciseness.