having been inspired

USAGE SUMMARY

"having been inspired" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a present perfect passive verb phrase, used to indicate an action that was completed in the past. You can use "having been inspired" when describing a person's state or feeling after being influenced by something or someone. Here is an example: "After attending the motivational seminar, I found myself having been inspired to pursue my dreams with more determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though he does not like to describe his work as having been inspired by nature — he is fond of quoting Rodin, who said that inspiration does not exist — the connection has been made by the developers marketing his buildings.

The New Yorker

Having been inspired to return to music himself, Dubuffet used his own recordings in Turin.

The New York Times - Arts

He acknowledged having been inspired by the numinous compactness of Russian Orthodox icons.

The New Yorker

Haydn set to work on "The Creation" in 1796, having been inspired by hearing performances of Handel's oratorios in London.

The New York Times - Arts

We are not copying anyone, but we must admit to having been inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

The New York Times

That's because of the achievements of the millions who fought for change, having been inspired by Dr King's words.

Independent

Mika told police he instigated the plan having been inspired by a winter holiday with his family in Italy.

The Guardian

Josh Nesbit is firmly committed to serving a global community, having been inspired by volunteer village health workers in rural Malawi.

Stanford University

In genetics he was the principal architect of the application of statistics, much of his general theory having been inspired by practical problems, especially in human genetics.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Having been inspired by minimalist music, Ms. Vierk retains its element of hypnotic repetition but crams the music with chords, riffs and clusters.

The New York Times - Arts

Gaylord Nelson, then a US Senator for Wisconsin, was the mastermind behind the idea, having been inspired by the devastating 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "having been inspired", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly experienced the inspiration. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "having been inspired" when the source of inspiration is unclear or irrelevant. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound vague or indirect. If the source is important, name it directly for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been inspired" functions as a past participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state resulting from a previous inspirational influence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in conveying a past action's impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

HuffPost

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having been inspired" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to link a present state or action to a past source of inspiration. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a past participle phrase, frequently appearing in news and media contexts, though also present in academic and other formal writing. While direct and clear, writers should ensure the source of inspiration is relevant and clearly understood. Consider related phrases like "being influenced" or "having drawn inspiration" for alternative phrasing. Overall, "having been inspired" is a valuable tool for expressing the impact of past influences on present actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having drawn inspiration

Highlights the act of extracting inspiration from a specific source.

being influenced

Replaces the passive perfect construction with a simpler passive continuous form.

having gained inspiration

Shifts from a passive to an active voice, emphasizing the act of receiving inspiration.

after being inspired

Uses a temporal clause to indicate the sequence of events.

being motivated

Focuses on the resulting motivation rather than the source of inspiration.

as a result of inspiration

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of the inspirational experience.

being stimulated

Emphasizes the sense of invigoration and arousal of interest.

thanks to inspiration

Expresses gratitude for the inspirational influence.

being affected

Presents a more general sense of impact or influence, without specifying inspiration.

owing to inspiration

Highlights the causal relationship between inspiration and a subsequent action or state.

FAQs

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

Use "having been inspired" to describe a state of mind or action that results from an earlier inspirational event. For example, "Having been inspired by the movie, he decided to pursue filmmaking".

What are some alternatives to "having been inspired"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "being influenced", "being motivated", or "having drawn inspiration".

Is it always necessary to specify what inspired someone when using "having been inspired"?

While not always necessary, specifying the source of inspiration often adds clarity and depth to your writing. For example, "Having been inspired by his father, he pursued a career in medicine" is more informative than simply saying "Having been inspired, he pursued a career".

What's the difference between "having been inspired" and "being inspired"?

"Having been inspired" indicates a completed action that has a continuing effect, while "being inspired" suggests an ongoing or more general state. Compare "Having been inspired by her teacher, she excelled in science" (past event with lasting impact) versus "She is being inspired by her mentor" (current, ongoing process).