having been done

USAGE SUMMARY

"having been done" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past event that has already occurred and been completed, usually in the form of a passive construction. For example: "The project, having been done, was ready to be presented to the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unapologetic and testosterone-driven, they weren't hard-done-by; they were in love with having been done wrong.

The New Yorker

"I'm not aware of that ever having been done.

The New York Times

That justice having been done, four slots on the program were given to the Ailey troupe.

The New Yorker

It gives the no-doubt false impression of having been done in five seconds, but that's fashion designers for you.

Independent

These parts stretch one's patience a little, but they do substantiate the idea of some deep damage having been done.

The Guardian - Books

"I couldn't recall it ever having been done -- especially in a way that was realistic and honest," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Breathless" was a model for what could be done and for what, having been done, needn't be done again.

The New Yorker

"Are you Subaru?" it asks, with much behind-the-scenes research having been done to identify who might be and who might not.

Independent

He has defended the action as having been "done in line with the law," but the destruction has prompted sharp criticism from Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

The New York Times

A home that sold in 1995 for $458,000 resold for $540,000 in 1998 with no work having been done to it".

The New York Times

"What if you're born with something having been done to you?" Maurice Greene of Los Angeles, the Olympic champion at 100 meters, said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having been done" to clearly indicate that an action was completed before another action took place. This helps to establish a clear sequence of events in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "having been done" when you intend to describe an ongoing action. This phrase refers specifically to an action that has already reached completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been done" functions as a participial phrase, specifically a perfect passive participle. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that an action has been completed before another action or event occurs. Ludwig shows this phrase being used to set up a condition that has already been satisfied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

34%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Huffington Post

4%

The Guardian - Sport

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having been done" is a grammatically sound participial phrase used to indicate that an action has been completed before another action takes place. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is correct and usable in written English. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears most often in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. When using this phrase, be mindful of its passive voice and ensure it clearly establishes the correct sequence of events. Alternatives such as "after it was completed" or "once it had been finished" may provide simpler phrasing in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once it had been finished

Emphasizes the finished state with a past perfect construction.

after it was completed

Rephrases the idea using a more explicit past tense construction.

once the action was performed

More direct phrasing indicating the action's execution.

following its completion

Uses a noun phrase to describe the action's end.

when it was carried out

Highlights the act of carrying out or performing an action.

after the task's fulfillment

Emphasizes the fulfillment of the task or action.

with its execution complete

Focuses on the execution aspect of the task.

upon its implementation

Focuses on the implementation aspect of the completed task.

subsequent to its accomplishment

Formal alternative highlighting the achievement.

post-execution

Concise, technical term for after the action is completed.

FAQs

How can I use "having been done" in a sentence?

Use "having been done" to describe a completed action that precedes another action. For example, "The research, "having been done", we can now proceed with the analysis".

What's a simpler way to express "having been done"?

You can use phrases like "after completion" or "once completed" for a more concise alternative. For example, "After completion of the project, we celebrated".

Is it always necessary to use "having been done"?

No, it's not always necessary. Sometimes, rearranging the sentence or using a simpler past tense construction can be more effective. Consider if the emphasis on the completed action is truly needed.

What are common mistakes when using "having been done"?

A common mistake is using it when a simple past perfect tense would suffice or when the sequence of events is already clear from the context. Overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or convoluted.