having set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having set" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular action has been completed prior to another action or event. Example: "Having set the table, she called everyone to dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Having set my heart on you, I remove it.

The New Yorker

You skulk home without having set foot on a court.

The New York Times - Magazine

Washing their hands, having set the polonium trap?

The Guardian

Having set out her territory, her arguments take flight.

The Guardian - Books

But he takes pride in having set the standard that most of the industry follows.

The New Yorker

Rotterdam's Mr Karakus says this question is no harder than having set times for older swimmers.

The Economist

(He characterizes the sale of the Brentwood house as having set a per-square-foot record).

The New Yorker

Having set their standard for the light, the umpires had no option but to be consistent.

The Guardian - Sport

Sapphire admitted having set more than 100 fired when he was brought to justice.

The New Yorker

Kindred had harboured hopes of gold, having set a new Paralympic record in the heats.

Independent

He continues to travel back in his imagination, having set part of both novels there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having set" to clearly indicate that one action has been completed before another begins, ensuring a smooth and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "having set" when the sequence of events is not crucial or when a simpler construction like "after setting" or "once set" would suffice, as overuse can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

Perfect Gerund Phrase: "Having set" functions as a perfect gerund phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig AI, this structure indicates an action completed before another, which is evident from the variety of examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "having set" functions as a perfect gerund, effectively indicating an action completed before another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, ensuring the temporal sequence is significant. Alternatives like "after setting" or "once established" may sometimes offer a more concise option. By understanding its function and context, you can use "having set" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having established

A synonym for "having set", emphasizing the act of establishing something.

after establishing

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the action, focusing on the completion of the setting or establishing process.

once established

Highlights the state or condition resulting from the act of setting or establishing something.

upon setting

Implies that something happens immediately after the act of setting.

with the setting of

Focuses on the act of setting something as a condition or circumstance.

with the establishment of

Focuses on the result or outcome of establishing something rather than the action itself.

by establishing

Highlights the means by which something is accomplished, with the setting or establishing as the method.

after the setting of

Emphasizes the completion of setting as a point in time.

subsequent to setting

Indicates a temporal relationship where something follows after the act of setting.

following the setting of

Similar to 'subsequent to', indicating a sequence of events.

FAQs

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

"Having set" is used to indicate that an action was completed before another action occurred. For example: "Having set the table, she called everyone to dinner."

What are some alternatives to "having set"?

You can use alternatives such as "after setting", "once "once established"", or "upon setting" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "having set"?

No, sometimes simpler phrases like "after" or "once" can be used. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and clarity of the temporal sequence.

What's the difference between "having set" and "after setting"?

"Having set" emphasizes the completion of the first action before the second, while "after setting" simply indicates a sequence without necessarily highlighting completion.