having been left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having been left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a state resulting from a previous action, often in a passive construction. Example: "Having been left alone in the dark, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The motive for the sausages having been left out is not clear".

Independent

And so Mr. Bloomberg is beginning to chafe at having been left holding the bag.

The New York Times

There is a sense in some neighborhoods of having been left behind.

The New York Times

Having been left to insurance companies and the other private participants in the system, costs continue to rise unreasonably.

The New York Times

Having been left some money by a friend he bought a farm in the mountains & set up a kibbutz.

The New Yorker

They seem bathed in a light of righteousness as compensation for having been left so long in the dark.

The New York Times - Books

The girl was alone when she was found, having been left for dead by her attackers, police say.

The Guardian

"He has a very similar story to mine, having been left in Wolverhampton two years after me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Having been left temporarily deaf in one ear following a Napalm Death gig, maybe it was a rhetorical question.

The Guardian - Music

Nicola Barker's inclusion will provide compensation for having been left off the shortlist for this year's Orange prize.

The Guardian - Books

Try the plate of cheeses instead (£9), which include a Cornish Yarg that's super-soft, having been left out of the fridge.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having been left" to clearly establish a sequence of events where the act of leaving precedes and influences a subsequent state or action. For instance, "Having been left without guidance, the project faltered."

Common error

Avoid using "having been left" when a more active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "Having been left by the team, she felt abandoned", consider "Because the team left her, she felt abandoned."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been left" functions as a perfect passive participle phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state or condition resulting from a past action. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having been left" is a versatile phrase used to describe a state resulting from a past action, as determined by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic and wiki contexts, indicating its appropriateness for formal and informative writing. The phrase is grammatically sound and effectively communicates a sequence of events where the act of leaving has a lasting impact. While generally acceptable, writers should consider whether a more active construction might enhance clarity and directness. The analysis suggests that "having been left" serves to provide context and explain situations, making it a useful tool for writers across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after being abandoned

Emphasizes the sequence of events, focusing on the action of abandonment preceding the current state.

once abandoned

Highlights the completed action of being abandoned, with a sense of finality.

upon being deserted

Focuses on the moment of desertion and its immediate consequences.

following abandonment

Highlights the period after someone or something has been abandoned.

since being discarded

Emphasizes the duration since the act of discarding occurred.

as a result of being forsaken

Focuses on the consequence of being forsaken.

due to being marooned

Highlights the cause of the situation, emphasizing the isolation of being marooned.

owing to being stranded

Similar to 'due to', this emphasizes the cause, focusing on the helplessness of being stranded.

because of being isolated

Explains the state resulting from isolation.

considering they were forgotten

Acknowledges the state of being forgotten and its implications.

FAQs

How do I use "having been left" in a sentence?

"Having been left" is typically used to introduce a clause that describes a state or condition resulting from a past action. For example: "Having been left alone, she began to worry."

What are some alternatives to "having been left"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "after being abandoned", "once abandoned", or "since being discarded".

Is it ever incorrect to use "having been left"?

While grammatically correct, "having been left" can sometimes sound overly formal or passive. In some cases, a more direct and active construction might be preferable. For example, rather than saying "Having been left in debt", you might say "Because he was left in debt".

What is the difference between "having been left" and "after being left"?

Both phrases indicate a sequence of events, but "having been left" emphasizes the resulting state more strongly, while "after being left" simply indicates a chronological order. Using "after being left" focuses primarily on the timing.