after having explored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after having explored" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action of exploration has been completed before another action takes place. Example: "After having explored the ancient ruins, the archaeologists documented their findings in detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A probation officer, after having explored the boy's family history, testified that he had had no criminal record, but seemed "angry".

The New York Times

After having explored the Golden State, I thought that jumping on a train to Seattle would be the relaxing, scenic route.

Independent

After having explored a wide variety of combinations, guided by both chemical and physical considerations, it was decided to investigate composites fabricated by gas pressure infiltration of Ag or Ag3wt%Si alloys into compacts of bimodal mixtures of diamond (high thermal conductivity) and iron particles (high magnetic permeability).

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

After having explored the paradoxical demands put on strategy by the first element of VUCA (volatility) in my previous article, in this article I examine what its second element means for your strategy making: uncertainty.

Forbes

Exhausted by their war and after having explored all other options, the Forerunners conceived a weapon of last resort to combat the Flood, called the Halo Array.

Wikipedia

We present pooled and cohort-specific models, after having explored a large number of alternative specifications.

European Journal of Population

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

My guess is it will happen next year after both have explored other options.

The Guardian - Sport

After you have explored what makes the disabled person different, remind your child (and yourself) of our common humanity.

The Guardian

But those ventures came about only after G.E. had explored other ways to gain access to a particular market or technology.

The New York Times

We can no longer afford to act out Winston Churchill's prediction that America will always do the right thing — after it has explored every other alternative.

The Washington Post

(Few composers after him have explored it.) It was also very nearly a closing parenthesis on Brahms's career because it was originally supposed to be his last-ever composition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether the simpler "after exploring" is sufficient; the "having" adds emphasis to the completion of the action, which is most appropriate when the completion itself is significant.

Common error

Avoid stacking perfect tenses unnecessarily. While "after having explored" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound convoluted. Sometimes a simpler "after exploring" conveys the same meaning more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after having explored" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a dependent clause. It modifies the main clause by indicating the temporal relationship between the action of exploring and the subsequent event. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after having explored" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that an exploration has been completed before something else occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable expression, suitable for formal and neutral writing. However, simpler alternatives like "after exploring" may often suffice, and using the perfect tense excessively can make your writing sound verbose. The phrase appears more frequently in scientific and news-related content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following exploration

This alternative is shorter and more direct, using a noun phrase instead of a verb phrase.

having investigated

Replaces "explored" with "investigated", implying a more formal or detailed examination.

once the exploration was complete

Emphasizes the completion of the exploration as a condition for the next action.

subsequent to exploring

Uses a more formal prepositional phrase to indicate the sequence of events.

upon investigating

Similar to "having investigated" but uses "upon" for a slightly more formal tone.

after the inquiry

Substitutes "explored" with "inquiry", suggesting a formal investigation.

once the research had been conducted

Focuses on the completion of research, a specific type of exploration.

with the exploration finished

Highlights the completed state of the exploration as a precondition.

once having surveyed

Uses a more formal tense with "surveyed", indicating examination.

post-exploration

A concise, modern alternative using "post-" to indicate what follows the exploration.

FAQs

What does "after having explored" mean?

The phrase "after having explored" means that a period of investigation or examination has been completed, and the results or experiences gained from it are now relevant to a subsequent action or consideration.

When is it appropriate to use "after having explored" instead of "after exploring"?

Use "after having explored" when you want to emphasize the completion of the exploration as a necessary precursor to the following action. If the simple sequence is sufficient, "after exploring" is usually preferable.

What are some alternatives to "after having explored"?

You can use alternatives like "following exploration", "having investigated", or "once the exploration was complete" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "after having explored" formal or informal?

"After having explored" tends to be slightly more formal than "after exploring", but it's suitable for both academic and professional contexts. The level of formality also depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.