having an experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having an experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an event that someone has gone through or is going through. Example: I'm looking forward to having an amazing experience on my trip to Asia.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Gricean thought experiments suggest that simply having an experience that matches your surrounding environment will not, in itself, be sufficient for seeing objects in your environment.

SEP

You're operating a machine, not having an experience".

The New York Times

I don't remember having an experience like that at college.

The Guardian

Inspiration: Me and Mario travelling somewhere in the world and having an experience.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's more like I'm having an experience than making a picture".

The New York Times

He was saying he wasn't interested in having an experience that his mother couldn't witness".

The New York Times

This is hardly conducive to having an experience that is personal and intimate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The program's director suggests that "some Americans may be avoiding having an experience of cognitive dissonance".

The New York Times

You're not in retreat, you're not passive, you're not having an experience wash over you.

The Guardian - Tech

The impossibility of having an experience and making sense of it in words at the same time tormented Zweig.

The New York Times - Books

After all, Trump is incapable of having an experience without wondering primarily how it might be monetised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having an experience" to emphasize the subjective and personal nature of an event. For example, "Traveling solo is about "having an experience" that's unique to you."

Common error

Avoid using "having an experience" to describe passive or superficial encounters. Reserve it for situations that involve genuine engagement, learning, or emotional impact. Don't say "I was just "having an experience"" when you mean "I was just there."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having an experience" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of undergoing or possessing a particular event or occurrence. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having an experience" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig, that functions as a gerund phrase describing the act of undergoing a particular event. It carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse contexts ranging from scientific discourse to news reporting. The phrase's versatility allows it to convey the personal and subjective nature of events. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately represents meaningful or impactful engagements rather than superficial encounters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undergoing an experience

Replaces "having" with "undergoing", emphasizing the process of experiencing something.

living through an experience

Emphasizes the act of navigating or enduring an experience.

participating in an experience

Highlights active involvement in the experience.

encountering an experience

Focuses on the event of coming across or facing an experience.

gaining an experience

Stresses the acquisition of knowledge or skill from the experience.

enjoying an experience

Highlights the pleasurable aspect of the experience.

sharing an experience

Focuses on experiencing something together with others.

creating an experience

Emphasizes the act of designing or developing an experience.

offering an experience

Focuses on providing an experience to someone else.

witnessing an experience

Highlights the act of observing an experience.

FAQs

How can I use "having an experience" in a sentence?

You can use "having an experience" to describe undergoing or possessing a specific event. For example, "The goal is to create memories by "having an experience" that will last a lifetime."

What are some alternatives to "having an experience"?

Alternatives include "undergoing an experience", "living through an experience", or "participating in an experience" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "having an experience" or "gaining an experience"?

The choice depends on the context. "Having an experience" emphasizes the event itself, while "gaining an experience" focuses on learning or benefiting from it.

What's the difference between "having an experience" and "sharing an experience"?

"Having an experience" refers to an individual's personal encounter, while "sharing an experience" implies undergoing something together with others.