having retrieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having retrieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action of retrieving has been completed prior to another action or event. Example: "Having retrieved the necessary documents, she was ready to proceed with the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

At one point a policeman arrived, having retrieved the boy, about 5, from the shoulder of Route 156.

The New York Times - Arts

It was easier to send detainees to their home countries, where politicians could boast of having retrieved their citizens from an American prison.

The New Yorker

A soup-filled wok bubbled on the stove, and his cousin, having retrieved a half bottle of wine he had stashed away, cooked rice noodles in the broth, tossing in oysters and cabbage and a handful of tiny, curled squids.

The New Yorker

Seated with her mother, Chloe inquires about her past: her father left a decade ago, some years after having retrieved her from a Ukrainian orphanage with a certain suspicious expedience.

The New York Times - Arts

In another chapter she recounts her efforts to work a voodoo love spell on her longtime object of affection: having retrieved his family's hairbrush, she tried in vain to distinguish the hairs of her would-be lover from those of his relatives, finally grabbing them all, figuring she would let the entire household "be nuts about me".

The New York Times - Books

Having retrieved a newly arrived soldier from the airfield in one of the vehicles, he eventually came under fire.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Spain had retrieved £200m.

Independent

The family must have retrieved it.

The New Yorker

Yet I had retrieved them with TurboTax.

The New York Times

Charles Carlucci, the foreman told about weapons they have retrieved.

The New Yorker

He has retrieved a buried golden treasure," he said.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having retrieved" to clearly indicate that one action is completed before another begins, ensuring a logical sequence of events in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "having retrieved" when the sequence of actions isn't crucial to the meaning. Simpler constructions like "after retrieving" are more effective when the timing is not a primary concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having retrieved" functions as a participle phrase, specifically a perfect participle phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig provides examples showing its use to indicate a completed action before another action begins, adding a temporal dimension to the sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the participle phrase "having retrieved" is used to indicate the completion of an action (retrieval) before another action takes place. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase is found in reputable sources like the New York Times and The Guardian, as well as scientific publications, making it appropriate for a variety of writing styles. When using "having retrieved", ensure that the sequence of events is a crucial element of the sentence's meaning to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after retrieving

A more straightforward way of indicating the sequential nature of the actions.

once retrieved

Emphasizes the point in time when the retrieval is complete.

upon retrieval

Highlights the moment of retrieval as the condition for the next action.

subsequent to retrieving

A more formal way to express the sequence of events.

with retrieval of

Shifts the focus slightly to the act of retrieval itself.

following the retrieval of

A lengthier and more formal construction.

after the item was retrieved

A more verbose alternative providing additional context.

on having retrieved

An uncommon variation that emphasizes the completion of retrieval.

retrieving which

This construction alters the emphasis, framing the retrieval as a condition.

the retrieved item having been

Reorders the sentence for a different focus and potentially greater clarity.

FAQs

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

"Having retrieved" indicates that the action of retrieval is complete before another action occurs. For example: "Having retrieved the data, the analysis could begin."

What can I say instead of "having retrieved"?

You can use alternatives like "after retrieving", "once retrieved", or "upon retrieval" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "having retrieved" or "after retrieving"?

Both "having retrieved" and "after retrieving" are correct, but they carry slightly different nuances. "Having retrieved" emphasizes the completion of the retrieval action, while "after retrieving" simply indicates the sequence of events.

What's the difference between "having retrieved" and "retrieving"?

"Having retrieved" is a perfect participle construction, indicating a completed action before another action occurs. "Retrieving" is a present participle, often used to describe an ongoing action or a state of being. The perfect participle emphasizes completion, while the present participle emphasizes the action itself.