having been heard

USAGE SUMMARY

"having been heard" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is known as a present perfect passive participle, which is used to show that something was done to the subject of the sentence. Example: Having been heard by the jury, the defendant was found guilty. This sentence means that the jury listened to the defendant's case and as a result, found them guilty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I interpreted that as my words having been heard".

The Guardian - Film

It is often hard to decide whether a tale has been learned from folk sources or whether a literary story has gone the other way and, having been heard from priest or teacher or doctor, has entered oral tradition and has been treated like any other folktale or folk song.

Encyclopedia Britannica

1.34pm GMT Nair runs through the prosecution's argument that this was a "schedule six" offence – premeditated murder – and Pistorius should not get bail, including the number of shots, the wounds on the righthand side of the body, and witness statements about fighting having been heard.

The Guardian

I can't stand the idea of checking out after decades of railing against an unnecessary loss of years from life and life from years, never having been heard well enough to make any meaningful difference.

HuffPost

For songs that were flagged as autobiographically salient and identified correctly as having been heard in the scanner, subjects indicated whether they could recall the content of the memories they experienced in the scanner.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Gunshots had been heard.

The Guardian

They have been heard.

Independent

Tony Dungy had been heard.

The New York Times - Arts

He has been heard.

The New York Times - Sports

Little has been heard since.

The Economist

Their voices have been heard.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "having been heard", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates who or what did the hearing or listening. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "having been heard" when a simpler past perfect passive construction (e.g., "had been heard") is more appropriate. Overusing the participle phrase can make your writing sound convoluted. For example, instead of saying "The complaint, having been heard, was dismissed", consider "The complaint had been heard and was dismissed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been heard" functions as a present perfect passive participle phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the action of 'hearing' has been completed prior to the action described by the main verb in the sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates something was done to the subject of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having been heard" is a present perfect passive participle phrase, denoting that the action of hearing has concluded before another action occurs. According to Ludwig, this structure is grammatically correct and indicates that something was done to the subject of the sentence. While not exceedingly common, the phrase finds its primary use in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and scientific contexts. Its function is to emphasize the impact or consequence of being listened to, lending a formal tone suitable for precise communication. Though alternatives exist, understanding the specific implications of "having been heard" allows writers to leverage its nuance effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after being heard

This alternative specifies the temporal sequence more explicitly, indicating that the action of hearing precedes a subsequent event.

once it was heard

This phrase emphasizes the point in time when the hearing occurred, implying a shift or change following the event.

upon being heard

This alternative suggests an immediate consequence or reaction following the act of hearing.

after one's voice was heard

This version emphasizes the agency and the impact of someone's specific voice or opinion.

with their message received

This phrase shifts the focus to the reception of the message rather than the act of hearing itself.

now that it's acknowledged

This alternative highlights the aspect of acknowledgement or recognition following the communication.

following its presentation

This phrase focuses on the act of presenting information, implying that it has been listened to or considered.

after expressing their views

This version emphasizes the expression of opinions or viewpoints, suggesting that these have been communicated effectively.

once the concerns were raised

This alternative emphasizes the raising of concerns, implying that these have been brought to attention and potentially addressed.

with the matter addressed

This phrase focuses on the addressing of a specific matter, suggesting that it has been heard and dealt with appropriately.

FAQs

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

Use "having been heard" to indicate that something or someone has been listened to, often implying a subsequent action or result. For example: "Having been heard by the judges, the singer advanced to the next round."

What are some alternatives to "having been heard"?

You can use phrases like "after being heard", "once it was heard", or "upon being heard" to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific context and nuance you want to express.

Is "having been heard" formal or informal?

"Having been heard" tends to be more formal, often found in written or official contexts. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "after they heard" or "once it was heard" might be more common.

What's the difference between "having been heard" and "was heard"?

"Having been heard" is a participle phrase that adds emphasis on the action of hearing as completed before another action occurs, while "was heard" is a simple past passive construction that states a fact. For example, "Having been heard by the audience, the speaker felt confident" implies the audience's listening had an impact on the speaker's confidence. "The speaker was heard" simply means the speaker gave a speech and someone listened.