I've been considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I've been considering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing thoughts or reflections on a particular idea or decision over a period of time. Example: "I've been considering taking a sabbatical to travel and explore new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But I've been considering a nice watch.

The New York Times

"I've been considering [retirement] super hard.

The Guardian - Sport

Rick Santorum: I've been considering a slick little number: 666.

The New Yorker

"When I heard Mickey Hart talking about sound recordings, I thought, Maybe I've been considering the wrong problem," he says.

The New Yorker

I've been considering literary fiction so far but other groups within fiction – and non-fiction – publishing could gain from signing up too.

The Guardian - Books

I've been considering a master's in criminal justice, but as it's a big financial commitment, would it help me - or is it better to get some work experience?

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Since then, I've been considered a successful author, so I've stopped feeling like an unknown, almost anonymous apprentice.

The New Yorker

"I've been considered a great 200-meter and 400-meter runner and not even a good 100-meter runner.

The New York Times - Sports

"I loved the fact that they would even consider letting me play someone with an anger management problem, when I've been considered the perky little Gidget of the entertainment industry," she said.

The New York Times

Recently, I have been considering the four-way stop.

The New York Times

So I had been considering what to do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I've been considering", be prepared to follow up with reasons, options or a conclusion that you arrived at in the process of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "I've been considering" when referring to a single, instantaneous moment of thought. This phrase implies ongoing evaluation, so use a simple past tense ('I considered') for immediate thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've been considering" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating a state of mind or ongoing mental process. It highlights the act of thinking about something, often implying a deliberation over choices or potential actions. As seen in the Ludwig examples, this phrase introduces topics that have been given some thought over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I've been considering" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to indicate a period of thought and evaluation, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an intransitive verb phrase to inform of ongoing mental processing. It suits a neutral register and is frequently found in news, media, and science contexts. To enrich your writing, you could use alternatives like "I've been thinking about" or "I've been pondering" to add nuance to your expression. Remember to use the simple past tense for immediate thoughts and avoid it for single, instantaneous moments of thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I've been thinking about

Changes the verb to "thinking", emphasizing the mental process rather than the decision-making aspect.

I've been pondering

Replaces "considering" with "pondering", suggesting a deeper, more thoughtful level of contemplation.

I've been contemplating

Uses "contemplating" instead of "considering", implying a more formal and serious reflection.

I've given thought to

Employs a different structure, focusing on the action of giving thought to something.

I've been weighing up

Uses "weighing up", suggesting a careful assessment of different options.

I've been mulling over

Replaces "considering" with "mulling over", indicating a slow and relaxed process of thinking.

I've had under consideration

A more formal and passive way of saying the same thing.

I've been assessing

Shifts the focus to the act of evaluation and judgment.

I've been evaluating

Similar to assessing but emphasizing a systematic and formal approach.

I've entertained the idea of

Highlights the act of considering something, even if not seriously.

FAQs

What does "I've been considering" mean?

The phrase "I've been considering" means that you have been thinking about something for a period of time, weighing options, and evaluating different aspects of it.

How to use "I've been considering" in a sentence?

You can use "I've been considering" to introduce a topic you have been thinking about. For example: "I've been considering a career change because I'm no longer challenged in my current role."

What can I say instead of "I've been considering"?

You can use alternatives like "I've been thinking about", "I've been pondering", or "I've been contemplating" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have been considering"?

Yes, "I have been considering" and "I've been considering" are both grammatically correct and have the same meaning. The latter is simply a contraction of the former.