having had

USAGE SUMMARY

“having had” is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that an action or event has already taken place before something else. For example: "Having had dinner, we headed out for the movies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having had.

The New Yorker

They die, sometimes, without having had sex".

The New York Times

All this having had dinner as well".

Independent

Having had one failed attempt.

The New York Times

Having had plenty of previous.

The Guardian - Sport

We can't remember having had worse service.

The New York Times

Having had no complications, he went.

The New Yorker

As having had a long life.

The Guardian

She confesses to having had initial doubts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For not having had the strength to prevent my birth?

The New Yorker

We cherish having had Jerry as part of our lives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having had" to clearly indicate that one action was completed before another action or point in time. This helps to establish a clear sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "having had" when the sequence of events is not important or when the two actions occur simultaneously. Using a simpler verb tense might be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having had" functions as a perfect gerund, indicating an action completed before another point in time. Ludwig AI identifies it as a grammatically correct construction, used to establish temporal sequencing as showcased in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

34%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having had" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in English, primarily serving to indicate that an action or event was completed before another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across diverse contexts, from formal writing to everyday communication. While it's most common in News & Media and Science, remember to use it when emphasizing sequence. When sequence is not so important use shorter forms. By understanding its proper function and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "having had" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having undergone

Emphasizes a process or transformation that has been experienced.

after experiencing

Emphasizes the experience aspect of the completed action.

upon undergoing

Focuses on the process or procedure that has been completed.

subsequent to receiving

Highlights the reception or acquisition of something before another event.

after possessing

Highlights the act of owning something in the past.

following the completion of

Stresses the finished state of a task or activity.

once equipped with

Implies possession or readiness as a result of the prior action.

previous to enjoying

Focuses on an enjoyable experience that was preceded by another action.

with the benefit of

Highlights the advantages gained from a prior experience or action.

already being in possession of

Highlights the state of already owning or having something.

FAQs

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

Use "having had" to indicate that an action was completed before another. For example, "Having had dinner, we went to the movies."

What are some alternatives to "having had"?

Alternatives include "after experiencing", "upon undergoing", or "following the completion of" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "having had" when describing a past action?

No, using "having had" implies a specific sequence where one action precedes another. If the sequence is not important, simpler past tenses may suffice.

What's the difference between "having had" and "having"?

"Having had" indicates the completion of an action before another, while "having" typically describes a state or ongoing action. For example, "Having had experience, she was well-prepared" (completed action), versus "Having a car, she could travel easily" (ongoing state).