not having done

USAGE SUMMARY

"not having done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that you have not completed an action prior to some other action. For example: "I regret not having done my homework earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And they have been pilloried for not having done enough".

The New York Times

Should we feel guilty at not having done more?

The New York Times

He said last week he regrets not having done so.

The Guardian - Business

Claiming discrimination for not having done so is not assimilation.

The New York Times

The satisfaction of not having done that is just amazing.

The Guardian

Today he said he regretted not having done that.

The New York Times

But I was nervous about pruning, not having done it in any informed way.

The New York Times

And most of all I don't want to feel guilty for not having done enough.

The New York Times

And he had no regrets at not having done things differently.

Independent

He told me that he regretted not having done this sooner.

The New Yorker

A critic once accused me of not having done my homework.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not having done" to clearly indicate an action that was not completed before a subsequent event or a specific time. For example, "I regret "not having done" my research before the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "not having done" when a simpler past perfect tense would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "I felt bad for "not having done" the dishes," consider using "I felt bad that I hadn't done the dishes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not having done" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically expresses regret, remorse, or the consequence of an action that was not completed. Ludwig AI validates this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not having done" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to express an action that was not completed, often leading to regret or consequences. According to Ludwig AI, this expression appears frequently in news and media sources and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various writing styles. While alternatives like "without having completed" and "prior to completing" exist, "not having done" provides a clear and direct way to convey the sense of incompletion before a specific point in time. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is appropriate and avoid overuse where simpler past perfect constructions suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without having completed

Emphasizes the absence of completion before another action.

prior to completing

Highlights the temporal sequence of events, focusing on what comes before completion.

before finishing

Focuses on the act of finishing something, indicating it didn't happen.

without accomplishing

Stresses the lack of accomplishment of a task.

having failed to do

Directly states a failure to perform an action.

neglecting to do

Highlights the aspect of neglecting or omitting an action.

not undertaking

Emphasizes the lack of starting or engaging in a task.

never having executed

Focuses on the execution of an action never taking place.

not having carried out

Highlights that something was not performed or implemented.

not performing

Simple and direct way to say that an action did not happen.

FAQs

How can I use "not having done" in a sentence?

Use "not having done" to indicate the absence of a completed action before another point in time. For example, "He felt guilty for "not having done" enough to help."

What are some alternatives to "not having done"?

You can use alternatives like "without having completed", "prior to completing", or "before finishing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not doing" instead of "not having done"?

While "not doing" can sometimes be used, it doesn't always convey the same sense of an action not being completed prior to another event. "Not having done" emphasizes this prior lack of completion more clearly.

When should I use "not having done" versus a simpler past perfect construction?

Use "not having done" when you want to emphasize the incomplete action as a reason or cause for a subsequent event or feeling. A simpler past perfect might be more appropriate if the timing isn't as crucial to the sentence's meaning.