having heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having heard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something happened after a person heard something. For example: Having heard the news about the closure of the plant, the workers began a protest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is he relaxed having heard the advice?

The Guardian

About not having heard of Spielberg?

The New Yorker

Odysseus, having heard the Sirens' song, sailed away a wiser man.

Perspectives on Data Science for Software Engineering

The Americans, having heard such promises before, are sceptical.

The Economist

His son made no sign of having heard him.

The New Yorker

You'd be forgiven for never having heard of them.

The Guardian - Music

And having heard the worst, you feel less bad.

The Guardian - Books

Another word he couldn't remember having heard before.

The New Yorker

Mellon, having heard all this before, was still not interested.

The New Yorker

Or, having heard, were they doing a "Pink"?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Amazingly, my parents gave no sign of having heard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having heard" to clearly establish a sequence of events where hearing something directly leads to a subsequent action or state of mind. This creates a concise and logical connection for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "having heard" in passive constructions where the subject didn't actively hear anything. For example, instead of "The news, having heard, was acted upon", write "Having heard the news, they acted upon it" to ensure a clear and active subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having heard" functions as a perfect participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate an action completed before another action or state. Ludwig shows its use to connect the act of hearing something with a subsequent consequence or reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the participial phrase "having heard" is grammatically correct and very common in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to establish a clear sequence of events where the act of hearing directly precedes and influences a subsequent action or state. Its usage spans across various registers, though it's most prevalent in news, academic, and scientific contexts. The phrase can be replaced by alternatives such as "after listening" or "once informed", depending on the desired nuance. When using "having heard", avoid passive constructions and ensure a clear subject performing the action of hearing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having been told

Directly indicates that the information was received from someone else, emphasizing the source.

having been notified

Emphasizes the formal act of notification, suggesting an official or important communication.

after listening

Focuses specifically on the act of listening, implying an auditory experience.

after being advised

Suggests a formal recommendation or guidance was received, influencing subsequent actions.

upon learning

Highlights the moment of acquiring knowledge, suitable for academic or investigative contexts.

once informed

Emphasizes the state of being informed, suggesting a more formal or official communication.

being aware

Indicates a state of consciousness or knowledge, less specific about the source of information.

acquainted with

Implies a familiarity with the information, often suggesting a more in-depth understanding over time.

with the understanding

Implies a deeper comprehension or agreement, suggesting more than just a simple reception of information.

on receipt of information

Highlights the formal act of receiving information, often used in legal or administrative contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "having heard" to indicate that an action or state follows directly from receiving information. For example: "Having heard the news, she decided to resign."

What are some alternatives to "having heard"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "after listening", "once informed", or "upon learning".

Which is more appropriate: "having heard" or "after hearing"?

"Having heard" often implies a more direct and immediate consequence than "after hearing". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the immediacy of the result. If the result is an immediate and natural consequence of the act of hearing then "having heard" is preferable.

What's the difference between "having heard" and "being told"?

"Having heard" focuses on the act of personally receiving auditory information. "Being told" indicates receiving information from another person, regardless of how it was communicated.