having existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a state of being that has occurred in the past and continues to have relevance or impact in the present. Example: "Having existed for centuries, the ancient ruins continue to attract tourists from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not easy to get our heads round the Earth having existed for billions of years, probably existing for millions if not billions more, and our own life in comparison – however long and fruitful – being an almost infinitesimally insignificant instant in the middle of it all.

BBC

He does the same for several other notions relating to the question of what's really bad about death, including this one: Why do we regard no longer existing (post-mortem nonexistence) as worse than not having existed before our births (prenatal nonexistence)?

The New York Times

As opposed to never having existed".

The New Yorker

(FTP, however, is hardly new, having existed in some form for about four decades).

The New York Times

"We no longer view these cultures as having existed separately, but as having influenced each other".

The New York Times - Arts

All parents want is that the child is acknowledged as having existed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Oxford English Dictionary says, "Having existed since olden times, old, aged or venerable".

The New York Times

(In the examples given, the asterisk marks a form that is reconstructed as having existed in Proto-Australian).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite having existed for only 28 years, CEU has catapulted itself into the ranks of the world's best universities.

The Washington Post

The design store FredFlare.com qualifies as a venerable institution in that world, having existed for nearly 10 years.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hannibal exists in a world where it's hard to imagine any of the characters actually ever having existed as children.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having existed" to clearly establish the temporal relationship between a past state of being and its relevance to a current situation. This phrase often adds depth by emphasizing the historical context of an event or entity.

Common error

Avoid using "having existed" when a simple past tense form like "existed" would suffice. The 'having' construction implies a continuing relevance, which might not always be the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having existed" functions as a perfect participle phrase, indicating a completed action or state of being that has relevance to a subsequent action or state. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "having existed" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to establish a connection between past existence and present relevance. As verified by Ludwig, it appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards formality and is best employed when emphasizing the ongoing impact of a past state. Remember to avoid overuse in simple past contexts where "existed" would suffice. Consider alternatives like "once existed" or "previously existed" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having been in existence

Focuses on the continuous state of existing over a period.

that had existed

Adds emphasis to the past perfect tense.

once existed

Emphasizes a past state of existence that is no longer current.

previously existed

Highlights that something existed before a certain point in time.

which existed

Often used in relative clauses to describe something's prior existence.

already existed

Highlights the fact that something was present before a specific event or time.

having been present

Focuses on presence rather than overall existence, implying being somewhere at a certain time.

to have existed

Used in infinitive constructions, referring to a past state.

to have been

A broader phrase that implies a past state of being or existence.

having been around

Suggests a longer duration of existence, with an informal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "having existed" in a sentence?

Use "having existed" to show that something's past existence has a current consequence or relevance. For instance, "Having existed for centuries, the ancient ruins still attract tourists" demonstrates the continuous impact of the ruins' past.

What are some alternatives to "having existed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "once existed", "previously existed", or "having been in existence" to express a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to use "having existed" instead of just "existed"?

Use "having existed" when you want to emphasize the ongoing effect or relevance of something that existed in the past. If the past existence is merely a statement of fact without current implications, "existed" is sufficient.

Is "having existed" formal or informal?

"Having existed" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, consider your audience and the specific context to ensure it fits appropriately.