for having had

USAGE SUMMARY

'for having had' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past experience or thing that had already taken place. For example, "He was praised for having had the courage to stand up for what he believed in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I feel very blessed for having had the opportunity.

The New Yorker

I'm thankful for having had another year of conversations with you.

The New York Times

On the contrary, it seemed, for having had little, they were all the more careful.

The Guardian - Business

We are forever grateful for having had such a wonderful father.

The New York Times

Does this mean that the Chinese are better off for having had their students shot?

The New York Times

The doctor upbraided her, she says, for having had a second boy.

The New Yorker

I'm a better person for having had her as a mother.

The Guardian

We are grateful for having had the privilege of her friendship for more than 30 years.

The New York Times

Ms. Melzak-Klein said she felt guilt-ridden for having had the amniocentesis at all.

The New York Times - Health

So grateful for having had you, so saddened at your loss, Shirley will be remembered and loved forever.

The New York Times

She has argued that it's public humiliation to tease her for having had lots of high-profile relationships.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for having had" to express gratitude or regret for a past event or experience. This construction clearly indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between the past and present.

Common error

Avoid using "for having had" when referring to future events or ongoing situations. This phrase is strictly for completed actions in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for having had" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a reason or justification based on a completed past action. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing gratitude, regret, or cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for having had" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to provide a reason or justification rooted in a past action. According to Ludwig, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its prevalence in reputable sources such as the New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, combined with examples across news, scientific, and academic domains, underscores its versatility and broad applicability. While it can be used in general writing, its precise tone also makes it suitable for more formal and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referring to a completed action and the relationship to a current situation or feeling is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to having experienced

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship from the experience.

thanks to having gained

Expresses thankfulness or positive consequences from a previous attainment.

because of having possessed

Emphasizes the reason or cause based on prior ownership.

as a result of having obtained

Highlights the outcome derived from a prior acquisition.

by virtue of having known

Emphasizes a positive quality or advantage derived from prior knowledge.

owing to having secured

Indicates indebtedness or gratitude for previously getting something.

given that I experienced

Highlights the existing condition as a starting point.

in light of having undergone

Frames the current perspective based on a previous process.

on account of having witnessed

Focuses on the perspective resulting from observing something.

considering that I had

Introduces a reason or explanation based on a past state.

FAQs

How can I use "for having had" in a sentence?

Use "for having had" to indicate a reason or consequence related to a past experience, such as "I am grateful "for having had" the opportunity to learn from her".

What are some alternatives to "for having had"?

Alternatives include phrases like "due to having experienced", "because of having possessed", or "as a result of having obtained", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "for having have" instead of "for having had"?

No, "for having have" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""for having had"", which uses the past participle "had" to refer to a completed action.

What's the difference between "for having" and "for having had"?

"For having" refers to the action of having something, while ""for having had"" refers to the completion of that action. For example, "I am grateful for having the opportunity" vs. "I am grateful "for having had" the experience".