I began considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I began considering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you started to think about something or contemplate a particular idea or decision. Example: "After much thought, I began considering the possibility of moving to a new city for a fresh start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Recently I began considering my family.

The New York Times - Travel

I've learned more about its quality since I began considering colleges as a junior.

The New York Times

I began considering it the way I considered basic, everyday tasks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finding myself isolated, lonely and broke, I began considering other careers".

The New York Times

18. Accessories (Domestic) While lounging in the library of Diamond Beach Village, I began considering a lampshade.

The New York Times

I began considering additional education before pursuing graduate school, and this led me to UC Berkeley Extension.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

As I sat thinking of the specific issue I wanted to address, I also began considering how I could address it in a meaningful way.

Huffington Post

My husband and I recently began considering hiring a part-time caregiver to assist with our son next year after school, as our schedules are extremely hectic.

Forbes

"We began considering our alternatives," Shapiro said.

The New York Times - Sports

He began considering a left-field possibility.

The New York Times

So union officials began considering their options.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I began considering" when you want to clearly state the point at which you started thinking about a specific topic or making a decision. It provides a direct and chronological indication of your thought process.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I began considering" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I started thinking about" or "I thought about" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I began considering" is to introduce a thought process or a decision-making process. It indicates the initiation of thinking about something. This expression is commonly used to set the stage for explaining reasons, motivations, or potential actions, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I began considering" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the commencement of a thought process. As noted by Ludwig, it's widely used in various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While highly versatile, remember that it is a somewhat formal construction. Consider alternatives like "I started thinking about" in more casual settings. "I began considering" effectively introduces new ideas or decisions you've started to contemplate, setting the stage for further explanations or reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started contemplating

Changes from "considering" to "contemplating", implying a more thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

I commenced thinking about

Replaces "began considering" with "commenced thinking about", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I started to think over

Uses "think over" to imply a reflective consideration of something.

I started mulling over

Introduces "mulling over", indicating a slow and careful process of thinking.

I entertained the idea of

Shifts the focus to entertaining an idea, suggesting a less serious or committed form of consideration.

I gave thought to

Emphasizes the act of giving thought, suggesting a deliberate mental effort.

I took into consideration

Highlights the act of including something as part of your evaluation.

I turned my attention to

Indicates a shift in focus, suggesting a deliberate redirection of thought.

I weighed up

Implies the action of balancing different alternatives

I became aware of

Focuses on becoming conscious of something, leading to consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "I began considering" in a sentence?

Use "I began considering" to introduce a new idea or option that you started thinking about. For example, "After the meeting, I began considering the possibility of relocating to the London office."

What's a more formal alternative to "I began considering"?

A more formal alternative could be "I commenced to consider" or "I initiated consideration of". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "I began considering" and "I was considering"?

"I began considering" indicates the starting point of your consideration, while "I was considering" suggests a state of ongoing thought. For example, "I began considering a new job" means you just started thinking about it, whereas "I was considering a new job" implies you have been thinking about it for some time.

What can I say instead of "I began considering"?

You can use alternatives like "I started contemplating", "I commenced thinking about", or "I entertained the idea of" depending on the context.