having decided to

USAGE SUMMARY

"having decided to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence to express that a decision was made. For example: "Having decided to take the bus, I arrived at school 15 minutes early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING Yeltsin, having decided to run, had to pull off the trick of winning.

The New Yorker

"I had a pretty flat kind of swing," he said, having decided to inject more arc.

The New York Times

Having decided to become a political party, Democratic Choice hopes to participate in elections this autumn.

The Economist

She thought for two weeks, and then declined, having decided to direct it herself.

The New Yorker

My young patient returned two weeks later, having decided to start the medicine I offered.

The New York Times - Health

But having decided to move, Mr. Balk said, he wanted to make it a profitable venture.

The New York Times

Having decided to lay the blame on the fans' doorsteps, there was no stopping him.

The Guardian

In 1951, having decided to study symbolic logic, he passed the examinations to enter Tsinghua University.

The Guardian

But having decided to take the plunge, I wanted the best baptism possible.

The Guardian - Travel

Having decided to embark on a musical career, Jennifer gave up nursing in 1973.

The Guardian - Books

Having decided to hit the road, though, she is giving it her all.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having decided to" to clearly indicate that a decision precedes a subsequent action or event, creating a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid separating "having decided to" too far from the subject performing the action, as this can lead to ambiguity or a misplaced modifier. Keep it close to the subject for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having decided to" functions as an introductory participle phrase, modifying the main clause. It indicates a completed action (the decision) that precedes and influences the action described in the main clause. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having decided to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used introductory participle phrase that signals a causal relationship between a past decision and a subsequent action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its prevalence in news media and academic writing suggests a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it remains close to the subject performing the action to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "upon deciding to" or "after resolving to" can offer nuanced variations. Overall, "having decided to" is a useful tool for clearly conveying cause and effect in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon deciding to

Emphasizes the moment of decision more explicitly.

after resolving to

Highlights the resolution aspect of the decision.

once determining to

Stresses the determination involved in the decision-making process.

with the decision made to

Highlights the completed nature of the decision.

in light of the decision to

Adds a sense of rationale or reasoning behind the decision.

given the choice to

Focuses on the act of choosing and its consequences.

choosing to

A more concise way of expressing the act of making a choice.

electing to

Implies a formal or deliberate choice.

opting to

Suggests selecting one option from several possibilities.

planning to

Focuses on the intention and preparation for a future action.

FAQs

How can I use "having decided to" in a sentence?

Start your sentence with "Having decided to" followed by the action someone chose to take, then the consequence or result of that decision. For example, "Having decided to study all night, she aced the exam".

What are some alternatives to "having decided to"?

You can use alternatives like "upon deciding to", "after resolving to", or "once determining to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deciding to" grammatically different from "having decided to"?

"Deciding to" typically introduces a present or future intention, while "having decided to" emphasizes a past decision that influences a subsequent action. For example, "Deciding to go to the party, I picked out an outfit" versus "Having decided to go to the party, I already bought a new dress".

Can I use "having decided to" at the end of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, it's less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to place "having decided to" at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence to clearly establish the chronological order of events.