having happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having happened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has already occurred. For example: "Although the accident was unfortunate, the fact of it having happened cannot be changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having happened, it keeps happening.

The New Yorker

It is secure in its having happened.

The New York Times - Sports

Freud's initial impulse was to accept these as having happened.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Would we pay 20% of our income to stop wars having happened in the past?

The Economist

I've never experienced going into a game with something like this having happened.

Independent

What are the odds of all these close calls just having happened to turn out right?

The New York Times

The likelihood of this having happened in the absence of human-caused global warming is minimal.

The Washington Post

But the chances of this actually having happened appear rather slim.

The Washington Post

It's not a report in the sense of something having happened.

The New York Times - Magazine

The agency promised in 1993 to publish records on 11 major cold-war covert operations which it acknowledges having happened.

The New York Times

"I've never heard about anything like this ever having happened before," said another longtime resident, former Governor William A. O'Neill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having happened" to emphasize the completion of an action before another action takes place, creating a clear sequence of events in your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "having happened" when a simple past tense is sufficient. Overusing the perfect gerund can make your writing sound convoluted. Ensure the context truly requires emphasizing the completion of the first action before the second.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having happened" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within the sentence. It emphasizes that an action or event has been completed before another action occurs. As Ludwig demonstrates, this construction is often used to provide context or explain consequences arising from a completed action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having happened" is a versatile gerund phrase used to establish a temporal sequence, indicating that an event has already taken place and often influencing subsequent events. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and academic writing. While it's a useful tool, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in favor of simpler past tenses when appropriate. Related phrases include alternatives like "after occurring" or "once it occurred", providing options to express the same idea with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after occurring

This alternative shifts the focus to the sequence of events, emphasizing what follows the occurrence.

once it occurred

This phrase uses a temporal conjunction to highlight the completion of the event.

following its occurrence

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the sequence of events from a more detached perspective.

subsequent to its happening

This is a more formal and somewhat less common way of saying "after it happened".

after it transpired

This option implies the unfolding or revelation of an event, adding a layer of narrative.

with the event concluded

This phrase highlights the state of completion and the existence of a concrete event.

in the wake of

This phrase indicates a period or events coming after and often caused by a significant event.

post-event

This concise option focuses on the period immediately following the event, often used in technical or analytical contexts.

since its inception

This relates to the beginning of an event or process that has continued to the present.

with its consummation

This more formal and less common way of saying "with its completion" emphasizes the successful end of an event.

FAQs

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

The phrase "having happened" is used to indicate that an event has already taken place before another action occurs. For example, "Having happened once, there is a fear that the problem of it happening again is still there" indicates that because it occurred once, there's a concern about recurrence.

What are some alternatives to "having happened"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "after occurring", "once it occurred", or "following its occurrence" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "having happened"?

Yes, "having happened" is grammatically correct. It is a perfect gerund phrase that functions to show that an action was completed before another action took place. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

What is the difference between "having happened" and "occurring"?

"Having happened" emphasizes the completion of an event before another. "Occurring" simply refers to something taking place. The perfect form indicates a finished action, providing additional context about timing.