Reading several books on that subject, Bill considered himself an expert.

[Nessie]

Hi,
Is there anything wrong with this sentence? (in standard grammar):

Reading several books on that subject, Bill considered himself an expert.

Many thanks
Nessie
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Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Haihao]

"Reading several books on that subject, Bill considered himself as/of an expert." would be better, I think.

[SkiIucK]

Hi,

Maybe 'Having read...'?

Regards

[Molly]

Or "After reading...".

Maybe "Reading several books on that subject, Bill next/then/now considered himself an expert."

[Nessie]

Hi Haihao and SkiIuck,

I agree with SkiIuck about "having read...", but I just wonder if it's still all right if we use "reading..."

As for "Bill considered himself an expert", I don't think it's wrong. IMHO, "Bill considered himself as an expert" is all right but I've never heard anyone say "Bill considered himself of an expert"...
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Haihao]

I think 'reading' and 'having read' are both grammatically correct though 'having read' makes better sense.

[Molly]

[Haihao]

O yes, that's right, although 'having read' seems to me ringing a sound of 'after' itself, but that's language, I suppose, which isn't math anyway. :)

[Molly]

[Lost_Soul]

[Yankee]

.
The way 'reading' has been used in the context is awkward at best. I'd recommend changing it to one of these, for example:

- Having read several books on that subject, Bill considered himself an expert.
- After reading several books on that subject, Bill considered himself an expert.
.
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[Molly]

[Barb_D]

I'm not Yankee, but I find "After having read" to be grammatical, although it suggests, possibly, a transition. Bill was very nervous about the idea of becoming a father, but after having read several books on the subject, he considered himself an expert."

I don't find it very elegant writing - I'd prefer the simpler "after he read." But I don't find it ungrammatical.

[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, everybody.
Actually, I myself do find "reading" a bit unsuitable and that I would be much better to change it into "having read", "after reading", "after he read" or "after he had read". As for "after having read", I agree with Barb_D that it's grammatical. I think it's the reduced form of "after he had read..." (which is grammatical :))

Regards.
Nessie.
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...