having previously been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having previously been" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a past perfect participle phrase that indicates that an action or event occurred before another action or event in the past. Examples: - Having previously been warned about the dangers of swimming in the river, she decided to go to the pool instead. - He was able to fix the car quickly, having previously been trained as a mechanic. - Having previously been rejected by multiple publishers, he was thrilled when his book finally got accepted. - The city had strict noise regulations, so having previously been warned, the band made sure to keep the volume low during their concert.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died aged 44, having previously been healthy.

The Guardian

Miller should know something about that, having previously been a director of Grey Advertising.

The Guardian

Labour, having previously been quite keen on the "age of the car", decided to oppose it.

The Guardian

Beddoes is currently business affairs editor at the Economist having previously been the magazine's economics editor.

The Guardian

The "legendary room auditions" are back, having previously been back, for one year only, in 2013.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She was diagnosed with diabetes in her 30s, having previously been fit, healthy and active.

The Guardian - Books

She had filmed it undercover while on a tourist visa, having previously been refused entry.

The Guardian

Having previously been accused of 'passive corruption', Diack is now accused of 'active corruption'.

Independent

It took until 2009 for the match to be awarded to England, having previously been decreed "abandoned".

The Guardian - Sport

The university received its royal charter in 1962 having previously been University College of North Staffordshire since 1949.

The Guardian

Having previously been taken advantage of by middlemen, farmers are understandably suspicious of corporate investment such as micro-financing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "having previously been", ensure the sentence structure clearly connects the prior state to the current state or action for clarity.

Common error

Avoid placing "having previously been" too far from the subject it modifies. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion about what the phrase is describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having previously been" functions as a participial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a state or condition that existed before the main action or state of being described in the sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "having previously been" is a grammatically correct and commonly used participial phrase used to provide context by indicating a past state or condition. According to Ludwig AI, its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The Guardian, BBC, and Wikipedia underscores its reliability and versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that it clearly modifies the intended subject and contributes to a smooth flow of information. Alternatives such as "formerly having been" or "once having been" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By understanding its function and common usage, writers can effectively employ "having previously been" to enrich their writing with relevant background information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly having been

Replaces "previously" with "formerly", emphasizing a past state that is no longer current.

once having been

Uses "once" to highlight a single instance in the past.

having earlier been

Substitutes "previously" with "earlier", indicating a point in time not long before the present.

previously having existed as

Adds specificity by indicating a past existence in a particular form or role.

at one time having been

Emphasizes that the past state was true at a specific period.

having, in the past, been

Inserts a parenthetical phrase for emphasis on the past occurrence.

before having been

Uses "before" to create a temporal contrast with a subsequent state or event.

having been, in an earlier time

Adds a more descriptive, literary quality to the reference to a prior state.

with a history of being

Shifts the focus to possessing a history of a certain state or role.

having antecedently been

Replaces "previously" with "antecedently" for a more formal or technical tone.

FAQs

How can I use "having previously been" in a sentence?

Use "having previously been" to indicate a past state or role before the current one. For instance, "Having previously been a teacher, she now works as a principal".

What are some alternatives to "having previously been"?

Alternatives include "formerly having been", "once having been", or "having earlier been", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "having being previously" instead of "having previously been"?

No, the correct phrasing is "having previously been". The word order is essential for grammatical accuracy. "Having being previously" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "having previously been" and "formerly"?

"Having previously been" is a phrase that sets up a past context, while "formerly" is an adverb that directly modifies a noun or verb to indicate a past state. For example, "He is now the CEO, "having previously been" a manager", versus "He is the formerly incarcerated individual".