having worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a prior state or action. For example, "Having worked on this project for 6 months, I am confident in its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

as having worked on the theme.

The New York Times

Having worked on them, he had returned them to Registry.

The New Yorker

I agree wholeheartedly, having worked with Hackney kids".

Independent

The majority are retired, having worked their entire lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has high standards, having worked extensively with Mstislav Rostropovich.

The New York Times - Arts

Having worked since I was 12, I was infuriated.

The New York Times

Blumenthal himself came from the nonprofit world, having worked at VisionSpring before starting Warby.

The New Yorker

Having worked in Washington, I know Capitol Hill as an avenue to failure.

The New York Times

"He's a great teacher; certainly I'm biased having worked with him.

The New York Times - Sports

Having worked with almost 20,000 people aged 13 to 21 since 2007, I remain optimistic.

Independent

He also says everyone was helped by knowing each other well, having worked together for years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of the main clause is logically connected to the implied subject of the "having worked" phrase. Avoid dangling modifiers.

Common error

Avoid using "having worked" in a way that creates a dangling modifier. Make sure the subject performing the action described by "having worked" is clear and logically connected to the main clause. For example, instead of saying "Having worked all day, the pizza was a welcome treat", say "Having worked all day, I found the pizza a welcome treat."

Linguistic Context

Having worked functions as a perfect gerund phrase, modifying the main clause by indicating a completed action that precedes and influences the subsequent event or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. It can also act as an adjective, describing a noun or pronoun in terms of a prior work experience. For example, from Ludwig's examples: "Having worked since I was 12, I was infuriated."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "having worked" is a grammatically correct and versatile perfect gerund phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English to describe a prior state or action. As shown by Ludwig, it is found frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and business communications. When writing, be mindful of potential misplaced modifiers and ensure the phrase's subject is logically connected to the main clause. While the phrase holds a neutral register, it's best suited for scenarios where prior experience or effort directly influences a subsequent action. Alternatives include "after working" or "with experience in", although these may alter the meaning slightly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after working

This alternative uses a more straightforward chronological structure, replacing the perfect gerund with a simple preposition and gerund. The nuance of causality or explanation is less pronounced.

due to working

This option emphasizes the causal aspect of the work done.

because I worked

This is a more explicit and direct phrasing, replacing the gerund phrase with a full clause.

since working

This option focuses on the time elapsed since the work was done, implying a connection to the present.

with experience in

This alternative focuses on the possession of experience, rather than the action of working.

being employed

This alternative highlights the state of being employed, carrying a nuance of formal employment.

having been employed

This emphasizes the past state of employment, similar to "having worked" but with a stronger emphasis on the employment aspect.

from my work

This is a shorter, more direct phrase focusing on the source or origin of something.

through working

This phrase emphasizes the process of working as a means to achieve something.

as a result of working

This alternative strongly emphasizes the consequence or outcome of working.

FAQs

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

The phrase "having worked" indicates a completed action that has relevance to the main clause. For instance, "Having worked in the industry for years, she had a wealth of knowledge" shows that her experience is the reason for her knowledge.

What are some alternatives to "having worked"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "after working", "due to working", or "with experience in". Each option shifts the emphasis slightly, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is "having worked" formal or informal?

The phrase "having worked" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the overall tone and vocabulary of the writing.

What's the difference between "having worked" and "after working"?

Both phrases indicate a sequence of events, but "having worked" often implies a stronger causal connection or explanation, whereas "after working" simply indicates a chronological order.