after having distinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after having distinguished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of recognizing or identifying differences or characteristics before proceeding with further discussion or action. Example: "After having distinguished the various species, the researchers were able to draw meaningful conclusions about their habitats."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(OPD 6: 227) According to Desgabets, after having distinguished simple ideas from judgement in the Third Meditation, Descartes erred gravely in placing chimeras and other such beings of reason among the number of objects of simple conception.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Having distinguished himself with the gloves after taking five catches, skipper James Foster then steadied his side with an unbeaten 26 from 32 balls before stumps.

BBC

But his invitation to Longborough, and to conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra later this year, came after he had distinguished himself in a Bernard Haitink masterclass at the 2012 Lucerne festival.

The Guardian - Music

The Chumash attempted to distinguish these cases by relying on Cramer v. United States (1923), the case that established the existence of "individual aboriginal title" (as opposed to tribal); Cramer, after all, had distinguished Barker.

Wikipedia

Now, over 40 years later, after the inimitable Ono has distinguished herself as a singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and performance artist, MoMA officially welcomes the 82-year-old artist back to explore her early years with Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960 1971.

Vice

(Freedman) Dick Stanfel and Jack Butler will be considered by the selection committee for their accomplishments on the field, but they also stayed in the game and had distinguished careers after their playing days were over.

The New York Times

"But it seems to me that the élan of the Southern soldier was never seen after Chickamauga – that brilliant dash which had distinguished him was gone forever … He fought stoutly to the last, but after Chickamauga, with the sullenness of despair and without the enthusiasm of hope.

The New York Times

A New York Times article written a century after their importation notes that the starling "has distinguished itself as one of the costliest and most noxious birds on our continent".

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The WallyPower had distinguished company on Sunday.

The New York Times

None has distinguished himself particularly within the company.

The New Yorker

But nothing else had distinguished him from alternative starters.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider using simpler alternatives like "after differentiating" or "having distinguished" to streamline your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "after having distinguished" in contexts where a simpler phrase would suffice. Overusing complex structures can make your writing seem unnecessarily convoluted and less accessible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after having distinguished" functions as an introductory phrase, specifically a participial phrase, indicating that a certain act of differentiation or identification has been completed before the action in the main clause occurs. Ludwig's examples provide context on how this phrase is used in academic and professional discourse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after having distinguished" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon phrase used to indicate that an act of differentiation has been completed before another action takes place. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for formal and scientific contexts where clear sequencing is important. However, for improved clarity and conciseness, consider using simpler alternatives such as "after differentiating" or "having distinguished". While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian have used the phrase, its infrequent occurrence suggests careful consideration is needed before incorporating it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after differentiating

More concise; focuses on the act of differentiating.

having identified the differences

Focuses on identifying differences.

once distinctions were made

Passive voice emphasizing the completion of making distinctions.

after specifying

More direct; emphasizes the act of specifying details.

subsequent to differentiating

More formal and emphasizes the temporal sequence.

following the differentiation of

Noun-based and emphasizes the action of differentiation.

upon having separated

Similar in structure but uses 'separated' for clarity.

with the distinctions drawn

Highlights the result of distinguishing.

once the separation was established

Emphasizes the establishment of a separation.

on distinguishing

Focuses on the continuous action of distinguishing.

FAQs

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

This phrase introduces an action that precedes another. For instance, "After having distinguished the key elements, the analysis proceeded smoothly".

What's a simpler alternative to "after having distinguished"?

You could use phrases like "after differentiating", "having distinguished", or even "once the differences were clear" for a more streamlined sentence.

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

Yes, it leans towards formal writing. In casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "after sorting out" or "once we knew the difference" might be more appropriate.

Which is more concise: "after having distinguished" or "having distinguished"?

"Having distinguished" is more concise and often preferable. The inclusion of "after" doesn't usually add significant meaning and can be omitted for brevity.