having been through

USAGE SUMMARY

"having been through" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express the idea that someone has experienced something. For example: "Having been through a difficult year, the family was ready for a fresh start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What would you want having been through this?

The Guardian - Business

"Having been through that," Mrs. Kivett said, "I didn't want to do soup to nuts".

The New York Times

"Having been through two stock market dives, you always know that's a possibility," she said.

The New York Times

"I know what it feels like having been through it myself".

Independent

But, having been through Nafta, he seems cautiously optimistic that he will prevail on China.

The New York Times

"I'm very sympathetic to that, having been through a depressive illness myself," says Gilbert.

The Guardian

Afghanistan, having been through an imperial, militarist Communism, emerged into the tribal severity of the Taliban.

The New York Times

Becky and I are stronger for having been through such a shared experience.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Having been through what I've been through, I don't want it.

The New York Times - Magazine

But having been through what we've been through I wouldn't want to do it again".

The New York Times

But I think actually we are stronger as a result of having been through this experience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having been through" to emphasize the impact of a past experience on a current perspective or decision. For example, "Having been through several economic downturns, the company adopted a more conservative financial strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "having been through" when referring to actions still in progress. This phrase implies a completed experience influencing a subsequent action. Instead, use "going through" for ongoing situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having been through" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a completed experience that influences or explains a subsequent action or state, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having been through" is a versatile gerund phrase used to provide context by referencing prior experiences. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various types of writing, notably in news, media, and science. The phrase serves the purpose of explaining how past events influence current perspectives or decisions. While generally neutral in tone, its appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and adaptability in English communication. Alternatives such as "after experiencing" or "after undergoing" offer similar meanings, each with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after undergoing

This alternative suggests a process or treatment that the subject has experienced.

after experiencing

This alternative uses a more direct verb form to indicate the completion of an experience.

as a result of experiencing

This alternative highlights the consequence of the experience.

following the experience of

This option provides a slightly more formal tone.

once subjected to

This phrase implies a more passive role in the experience, suggesting something imposed upon the subject.

in the wake of

This option describes the immediate aftermath of an event or experience.

with the benefit of hindsight from

This phrase emphasizes learning from a past experience.

with prior exposure to

This is more common in scientific contexts.

given my history with

This option specifically refers to personal experience and its impact.

bearing in mind my experience with

This emphasizes remembering and considering past experience.

FAQs

How do I properly use "having been through" in a sentence?

Use "having been through" to indicate that a past experience influences a current state or decision. For example, "Having been through a similar situation before, I knew what to expect".

What are some alternatives to "having been through"?

Consider alternatives like "after experiencing", "following the experience of", or "after undergoing" to vary your phrasing depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "having been through" and "having gone through"?

While similar, "having gone through" is more general. "Having been through" often implies a more challenging or transformative experience than "having gone through".

Can I use "having been through" to describe future events?

No, "having been through" refers to past experiences. Use phrases like "going through" or "will have been through" when discussing present or future situations.