having been taken

USAGE SUMMARY

"having been taken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that an action has been completed in the past. Example sentence: "The hostages were released, having been taken captive by the militant group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His duties having been taken over, McNally soon quit.

The New York Times - Sports

Even if it's highly praised, there's a sense of something having been taken away from you.

Independent

The university said Kill was resting comfortably, having been taken away on a stretcher.

The Guardian - Sport

Children are never responsible for having been taken in by a scheming and treacherous adult.

The New York Times - Health

On 28 August, Tottenham were bottom of the Premier League having been taken apart 5-1.

Independent

The forms and contracts were nowhere to be found, having been "taken care of" by Merlin.

The Guardian - Sport

In the article above we credited the main picture as having been taken by Kent Nishimura.

The Guardian

It was impossible to imagine Penelope's having been taken in by her.

The New Yorker

I have from time to time deployed the old chestnut of having been "taken out of context".

The Guardian - Opinion

Northam on Thursday said he stood by his statement, which he characterized as having been taken out of context.

The Washington Post

She was found nine months later, having been taken by a man who had been working at her home.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having been taken" to clearly indicate a completed action's impact on a subsequent event or state. For example, "Having been taken ill, he was unable to attend the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "having been taken" when a simpler active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The decision having been taken by the board", write "The board took the decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been taken" functions as a perfect passive participle phrase. It typically modifies a noun or clause, indicating that an action has been completed before another action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having been taken" is a versatile and grammatically sound perfect passive participle phrase used to indicate that an action has been completed prior to another event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It is most commonly found in news, scientific writing, and encyclopedias. To use it effectively, ensure the tense is appropriate for establishing a temporal relationship. While alternatives exist, "having been taken" is often the clearest way to express this sequence of events. Remember to avoid using it when an active voice construction would be more direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after being captured

Focuses specifically on the act of capture preceding a state or action, where "having been taken" is broader.

following its seizure

Highlights the immediate aftermath of a seizure event.

after confiscation

Emphasizes the act of confiscation by an authority, distinguishing from general taking.

once it was seized

Emphasizes the point in time when something was seized, making it a specific instance within a sequence.

subsequent to seizure

Specifies legal or formal situations following the seizure of property or assets.

after being apprehended

Implies the subject was caught doing something illicit.

subsequent to capture

Indicates a formal or legal context regarding something that has been captured.

following appropriation

Indicates a formal context and legal or policy-related actions.

post-acquisition

Specifies a time frame after something has been acquired, implying ownership or control.

once requisitioned

Suggests that something has been formally requested or commandeered for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "having been taken" to describe a past action that has a direct impact on the current situation. For example, "Having been taken by surprise, the troops quickly regrouped."

What are some alternatives to "having been taken"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "after being captured", "once seized", or "following appropriation" to replace "having been taken".

Is "having been taken" grammatically correct?

Yes, "having been taken" is grammatically correct as a perfect passive participle phrase. It indicates that an action was completed in the past.

How does "having been taken" differ from "being taken"?

"Having been taken" refers to a completed action, while "being taken" implies an action is currently in progress. For example, "Having been taken hostage, he was eventually released" versus "He resisted "being taken" into custody".