Having/Had washed the car, I noticed a small scratch on the front right fender.

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. Having washed the car, I noticed a small scratch on the front right fender.
  2. Had washed the car, I noticed a small scratch on the front right fender.

To me, #1 and #2 have the same meaning. However, I have never seen #2. Is it wrong?
And if so, why don’t we use the pattern in #2 to express the meaning as in #1?

2
3

Thanks. I am wondering why the person who washed the car is unknown in #2. I thought it should be clear that it is “I” as in #1.

4

I want to ask another question. Is the sentence below also correct?

Having washed the car, I notice a small scratch on the front right fender.

5

The usual pattern would be:: Having washed …. I noticed ….In other words after ‘Having done something’ which means: After I had done something, you would use the past in the next verb - I noticed. In your example:

you are using a ‘literary’’ device by putting ‘notice’ in the present tense (the dramatic present), which has the effect of highlighting the action. This device is often used in story telling so that the listener/reader can imagine they are actually there at the time.

6

In the structure you used for 2, you need a subject before the first phrase in the sentence.
I had washed the car / I noticed …
In the structure in 1, beginning with the subject is not necessary as Alan has explained.

7

Thanks. I have just known that “literary device” = “literary technique”. As you said the present tense is used to create effects of highlighting the action.

Is there a case that the sentence is correct and has the following meaning?

“Having washed the car, I notice a small scratch on the front right fender” = “After I wash the car, I notice a small scratch on the front right fender”

It seems unlikely, but is it possible?

8

If you make them (the verbs) both present tense, you are using the ‘dramatic present’ in full. This style is often used when you are describing what you did in a conversational way as in : Last night I get home late. And what do I see? The front door is wide open.

Alan

9

Alan/Beeesneees,

  1. Having been written, she quickly ran to the post office to send the letter.
  2. Having written the letter, she quickly ran to the post office to send it.
  3. Having been written, the letter was sent to the recipient.
  4. Having been written, I went and posted the letter.
  5. Having been written the letter, I went and posted it.
    Please correct them all.
    Please explain the grammar if there is a mistake.
    Thanks.
10

IMO, #1, #4, and #5 are called dangling participles.
More: quickanddirtytips.com/educat … articiples

11

Only 2 and 3 make sense.

12

Beeesneees/Alan,
“Having been delayed by a traffic incident whereby a lorry shed its heavy load,
I came to the meeting late.”
Is this sentence correct?
If not, please correct it.
Thanks.

13

It’s correct. There is a clear indication that ‘I’ is the person who has been delayed.
In your earlier answers, it looks as if ‘she’ has been written, whereas in fact it is the letter that has been written.