I considered going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I considered going" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you thought about the possibility of going somewhere or doing something. Example: "I considered going to the concert, but I ultimately decided to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I considered going to Paris, but hesitated.

The New York Times

"Have I considered going to sell shoes yet?" she said.

The New York Times

"I considered going to Yale, which has traditionally been much better at performing arts," he says.

The Economist

But whenever I considered going to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the closest university to my town, I cringed.

The New York Times

Low point: "A few years back I wasn't getting much work and I considered going back into commercial photography.

The Guardian - Arts

I considered going back, demanding to see the kids, but by the time I got there it would be ten and he'd still have a decent point re the lateness of the hour.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I consider going to the cafe toilet and attempting some kind of commando-style escape.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She wanted the baby out by 41 weeks, and to my surprise, she suggested I consider going straight to surgery without labor.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Your sexual technique is so massively satisfying that I consider going outside of our marriage and sharing everything you've taught me to be a public service".

The Guardian - Tech

Twelve years ago, when I was divorced, I briefly considered going into therapy.

The New York Times - Magazine

I strongly considered going on IBR (because I could be), but ultimately felt that I should make the better long-term choice since I was on the fence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I considered going" to clearly convey that you contemplated an action but didn't necessarily follow through. Providing context about why you considered it and what alternatives you chose can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "I consider going" when referring to a past consideration. "Consider" in the present tense suggests an ongoing or habitual action, not a completed thought from the past. Use "I considered going" to accurately reflect a past deliberation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I considered going" functions as a statement expressing a past contemplation or thought process regarding a specific action. Ludwig indicates this is a perfectly usable statement. The phrase suggests that the speaker weighed the possibility of going somewhere or doing something but did not necessarily commit to it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I considered going" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a past contemplation or intention, as affirmed by Ludwig. It signifies that the speaker thought about undertaking a certain action but did not necessarily follow through. The phrase is appropriate in a variety of contexts, including news media, academic writing, and everyday conversation. Alternatives such as "I thought about going" or "I contemplated going" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. It's important to maintain tense consistency and avoid using "I consider going" when referring to a past action. According to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is versatile and readily understood across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I thought about going

A more common and slightly less formal way to express having considered the action.

I contemplated going

Emphasizes deeper thought and deliberation before making a decision.

I entertained the idea of going

Highlights the consideration of an idea rather than a firm decision.

I had it in mind to go

Suggests a plan or intention that was present in one's thoughts.

I weighed the option of going

Implies a careful evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages.

Going was on my mind

Indicates that the possibility of going was a recurring thought.

The possibility of going crossed my mind

A more idiomatic way of saying that the idea was briefly considered.

I gave some thought to going

Similar to "I thought about going", but with a slightly more formal tone.

I was toying with the idea of going

Suggests a lighthearted or non-serious consideration.

I reflected on going

Indicates a more introspective and thoughtful consideration.

FAQs

What does "I considered going" mean?

The phrase "I considered going" means that you thought about the possibility of going somewhere or doing something but didn't necessarily decide to go. It implies a degree of contemplation without a firm decision.

What can I say instead of "I considered going"?

You can use alternatives like "I thought about going", "I contemplated going", or "I entertained the idea of going" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I consider going" instead of "I considered going"?

No, "I consider going" has a different meaning. "I consider going" implies an ongoing or habitual consideration, while "I considered going" refers to a specific instance in the past where you thought about going.

What's the difference between "I considered going" and "I was going to go"?

"I considered going" means you thought about it but might not have made a firm plan. "I was going to go" implies a stronger intention and plan that was later changed or abandoned.