having done that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having done that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the completion of a previous action. For example, "I finished writing the report, having done that, I was free to go home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They expect a return for having done that.

The New York Times

The satisfaction of not having done that is just amazing.

The Guardian

Today he said he regretted not having done that.

The New York Times

I've never had that inner regret feeling for having done that.

The New York Times

So of course, the sky would have to fall on him for having done that.

Huffington Post

"I don't want him going down in history as having done that.

Huffington Post

Having done that, take an ocean voyage.

The New Yorker

Having done that, we have a choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was disappointed having done that," she said.

The New York Times

"I wasn't regretful of having done that scene," she added.

The New York Times

Thole could not recall having done that before.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having done that" to clearly indicate a sequence of actions, ensuring the reader understands the temporal relationship between events. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "having done that" in a way that creates a dangling or misplaced modifier. Ensure that the subject of the main clause is clearly connected to the action described in the participial phrase. For example, instead of saying "Having done that, the report was filed", say "Having done that, I filed the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having done that" functions as a participial phrase, modifying the main clause by indicating a completed action that precedes the action in the main clause. Ludwig examples confirm its use to establish a sequence of events. The phrase acts as an adverbial modifier, providing context and timing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "having done that" is a grammatically correct and common participial phrase used to indicate a sequence of actions, as verified by Ludwig. Its primary function is to connect two actions chronologically, emphasizing that the first action precedes and often enables the second. It is used in news, science, and business contexts. To maintain clarity, ensure the subject of the main clause relates directly to the action described in the phrase. Ludwig's AI has confirmed that the phrase is perfectly correct in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once that was done

Emphasizes the point in time after completion.

after doing so

Replaces "that" with a more general reference to the previous action.

with that accomplished

Highlights the successful completion of the action.

that being completed

More formal and passive construction.

once having completed it

Adds emphasis on completion.

upon its completion

Focuses on the final stage or end point.

following that action

Refers specifically to the preceding action.

subsequent to that

More formal way to indicate the sequence of events.

thereafter

Concisely indicates 'after that' in a more formal tone.

that having been executed

Very formal and passive, stressing the execution of the task.

FAQs

How can "having done that" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "having done that" is used to show a sequence of actions, indicating that one action was completed before another began. For example: "I finished the experiment; "having done that", I wrote the report".

What are some alternatives to "having done that"?

You can use alternatives like "once that was done", "after doing so", or "with that accomplished" depending on the context. Each alternative slightly alters the emphasis or formality of the sentence.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "having done that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "having done that" at the beginning of a clause or sentence as a participial phrase, provided that the subject of the main clause is clearly related to the action described by the phrase. It usually acts as an introductory phrase.

What's the difference between "having done that" and "after doing that"?

"Having done that" is a participial phrase and often condenses the information more succinctly, while "after doing that" is a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause. They are often interchangeable, but "having done that" can sometimes provide a more immediate sense of consequence or continuation. Consider: "After doing that, I rested" versus "Having done that, I rested".