A perfect participle is a verb form used to show that one action was completed before another action in the sentence. It helps you clarify order and timing when two actions are closely connected.
You form a perfect participle using having + past participle.
Examples like “Having finished the report, she left the office early” show that the first action happened before the second one. Without a perfect participle, the timing can feel vague or unclear.
Perfect participles are not used as often as present or past participles, but they are valuable when you want precise meaning. They appear mainly in formal writing, reports, and clear narrative sequences.
What Is a Perfect Participle?
A perfect participle is a verb form used to show that one action was completed before another action in the same sentence. It helps clarify sequence and timing when two actions are closely connected.
A perfect participle is formed using:
having + past participle
Examples:
- Having completed the audit, the team submitted the final report.
- Having missed the deadline, he requested an extension.
- Having reviewed the feedback, she updated the proposal.
In each example, the action in the perfect participle happens first. The main clause shows what happened next.
When Perfect Participles Are Used
Perfect participles are mainly used when:
- Two actions occur close together
- The order of actions matters
- You want to avoid repeating full clauses
Compare:
- She finished the task and then sent the email.
- Having finished the task, she sent the email.
Both sentences are correct, but the second one highlights sequence more smoothly.
Perfect participles are common in formal writing, reports, and clear narrative descriptions. They are less common in everyday conversation but useful when accuracy matters.
How Perfect Participles Are Formed
Perfect participles follow a clear and fixed structure. There are no spelling variations or tense changes in the form itself.
Basic Structure
A perfect participle is formed using:
having + past participle
The word having stays the same. The past participle changes based on the verb.
Examples:
- having finished
- having written
- having approved
- having missed
Using Regular Verbs
With regular verbs, the past participle ends in -ed.
Examples:
- finish → having finished
- decide → having decided
- close → having closed
Sentence examples:
- Having finished the presentation, she answered questions.
- Having decided on the budget, the committee moved forward.
Using Irregular Verbs
With irregular verbs, the past participle form must be used correctly.
Examples:
- write → having written
- break → having broken
- take → having taken
Sentence examples:
- Having written the report, he sent it to the editor.
- Having taken the wrong exit, they arrived late.
What Does Not Change
Only the past participle form of the verb changes. The word having never changes, and the structure stays the same across all sentences.
Correct: Having completed the task, she left early.
Incorrect: Had completed the task, she left early.
Using had instead of having breaks the participle structure.
Why This Form Matters
Perfect participles exist to show clear sequence. The structure tells the reader that one action happened before the main action, without repeating full sentences or adding extra time markers.
Where Perfect Participles Are Used in Sentences
Perfect participles usually appear as part of a participial phrase. This phrase gives background information and shows that one action was completed before the main action.
They most often appear at the beginning of a sentence, but they can also appear in the middle when clarity is maintained.
At the Beginning of a Sentence
This is the most common position. It clearly sets up the sequence before the main action.
Examples:
- Having completed the training, the staff returned to their departments.
- Having reviewed the contract, she signed the agreement.
- Having missed the deadline, the team adjusted the schedule.
In the Middle of a Sentence
Perfect participles can appear in the middle of a sentence, usually set off by commas. This placement works when the phrase clearly relates to the subject. This position is less common and should be used carefully to avoid awkward flow.
Examples:
- The manager, having approved the budget, announced the next phase.
- She, having gathered all the data, prepared the summary.
Connection to the Subject
A perfect participle must always relate to the subject of the main clause. If the connection is unclear, the sentence becomes confusing.
Clear: Having finished the inspection, the engineer filed the report.
Unclear: Having finished the inspection, the report was filed.
In the unclear example, it sounds like the report did the inspection. The subject must be explicit.
Why Placement Matters
Perfect participles work best when they:
- Clearly show sequence
- Stay close to the subject
- Add useful context without overloading the sentence
Used well, they help you show timing and cause without repeating full sentences.
Perfect Participle vs Present and Past Participles
All three participle forms come from verbs, but they serve different purposes in a sentence. The difference is not just form. It is about time and function.
This combined explanation will help you see the contrast clearly.
Present Participle
Form: verb + -ing
Purpose: shows an action in progress or describes an active quality
Present participles are used:
- In continuous tenses
- As adjectives
- In participial phrases showing ongoing action
Examples:
- She is reviewing the proposal.
- The ringing phone interrupted the call.
- Walking into the room, he noticed the silence.
The action is happening at the same time as the main verb.
Past Participle
Form: usually -ed, -en, -t, or irregular
Purpose: shows a completed action or resulting state
Past participles are used:
- In perfect tenses
- In passive voice
- As adjectives showing results
Examples:
- She has submitted the report.
- The form was approved yesterday.
- The damaged file was removed.
The focus is on completion or outcome.
Perfect Participle
Form: having + past participle
Purpose: shows that one action was completed before another action
Perfect participles are used:
- To clarify sequence
- To avoid repeating full clauses
- In more formal or precise writing
Examples:
- Having completed the audit, the team submitted the findings.
- Having missed the deadline, he apologized to the client.
The perfect participle clearly marks the earlier action.
Side-by-Side Comparison
- Present participle: action happening at the same time
Reviewing the data, she takes notes. - Past participle: action completed or result shown
The reviewed data was archived. - Perfect participle: action completed before another action
Having reviewed the data, she archived the files.
Simple Rule to Remember
Ask this question:
Do you want to show action in progress, a completed result, or clear sequence?
- Action in progress → present participle
- Completed action or state → past participle
- Earlier action before another → perfect participle
FAQs About Perfect Participles
What is a perfect participle in English grammar?
A perfect participle is a verb form used to show that one action was completed before another action in the same sentence. It is formed using having + past participle. Example: Having completed the interview, she updated her notes.
How is a perfect participle formed?
A perfect participle is formed with having followed by the past participle of a verb. The word having never changes. Only the past participle depends on the verb.
When should you use a perfect participle?
Use a perfect participle when:
Two actions happen close together
The first action is completed before the second
You want to show clear order without repeating full sentences
What is the difference between a perfect participle and a present participle?
A present participle shows an action happening at the same time as the main verb. Example: Reviewing the proposal, she takes notes. A perfect participle shows an action that happened earlier. Example: Having reviewed the proposal, she shared her notes.
Can perfect participles be used in everyday writing?
They are more common in formal or structured writing such as reports, explanations, or narratives where timing matters.
