why is “ayant rencontré” used?

Question

Hi, in

“Autre ancienne élève de l'émission de télé-crochet de M6 ayant rencontré le succès”,

why is “ayant rencontré” used? Could “avoir rencontré” have been used instead? Would the meaning then be different?

Accepted Answer

Hi Brian, 
There is no reason to use the infinitive here, it has to be the present participle as in English for 'having met'.
If there was a  preposition in the sentence like in -
... après avoir rencontré 
It would be correct.
Please take a look at the following page on the present participle and pay particular attention to 3 -
Participe présent / Gérondif
Hope this helps!

Answer

Thanks Cécile!