I considered looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I considered looking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you thought about the possibility of looking at something or exploring an option. Example: "I considered looking for a new job, but I decided to stay where I am for now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When I realized (after I'd agreed to write this review) that Fay Weldon's latest novel, her 29th, is set in a totalitarian England after the fatal crash of capitalism, I considered looking to see if I still had any refills left for my old Wellbutrin prescription.

The New York Times - Books

I considered looking for my brother in prison.

Huffington Post

I considered looking for another job, but I couldn't really afford that either.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I consider looking into the eyes of a human being that we created "for better," and having my insides stitched back together "for worse".

Huffington Post

I never considered looking for another job.

The Guardian

She asked if I had considered looking around the town of Saratoga on the North Platte River on the western slope of the Medicine Bow range.

The New York Times

Some relationship scales would talk about "I've considered looking for another partner," and that's seen as lower quality with the current partner.

Vice

I was placed with a construction company called Lakehouse, an industry I would never have considered looking into.

The Guardian

From that show he considered looking at a single designer.

The New York Times - Arts

In other words, if you are a TOEFL teacher right now, I'd consider looking into a new career, because this is a seriously disruptive move.

TechCrunch

"I'm considering looking at the rules".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I considered looking" to express that you briefly or seriously entertained the idea of searching or examining something, but didn't necessarily act on it. It suggests a preliminary stage of thought before action.

Common error

Avoid using "I considered looking" when you actually did perform the action. If you looked, say "I looked" or "I searched", not "I considered looking". The latter implies you only thought about it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I considered looking" functions as an introspective statement, indicating a past contemplation of an action. This follows the standard English sentence structure and is considered correct according to Ludwig. It sets the stage for explaining why the action was or was not ultimately taken.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I considered looking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the contemplation of searching or examining something. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it appears with moderate frequency, particularly in "News & Media" and "Wiki" contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you're accurately conveying the thought process of considering an action without necessarily having performed it. Alternative phrases like "I contemplated searching" or "I thought about searching" offer subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I contemplated searching

Replaces "considered looking" with "contemplated searching", emphasizing a more thoughtful consideration of the search action.

I thought about searching

Uses "thought about" instead of "considered", making it sound more casual and less formal.

I entertained the idea of searching

Emphasizes the mental acceptance of the possibility of searching, suggesting an initial consideration.

I gave thought to searching

Highlights the act of giving consideration to the search, suggesting a more deliberate thought process.

I weighed the option of searching

Focuses on evaluating the potential benefits or drawbacks of searching.

I explored the possibility of searching

Focuses on the exploratory aspect of considering a search.

I envisioned myself searching

Highlights the act of mentally picturing oneself undertaking the search.

I imagined searching

Similar to envisioning, but can imply a more fanciful or less practical consideration.

I looked at the possibility of searching

Emphasizes a quick evaluation of the search option.

I had a notion to search

Suggests a fleeting or whimsical impulse to search.

FAQs

What does "I considered looking" mean?

It means you thought about the possibility of searching or examining something but didn't necessarily follow through with the action. It implies a thought process without a definite outcome.

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

You can use alternatives like "I contemplated searching", "I thought about searching", or "I entertained the idea of searching" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "I considered looking" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a potential action that was considered but not necessarily taken, for example: "I considered looking for a new apartment, but decided to stay in my current one."

What's the difference between "I considered looking" and "I looked"?

"I considered looking" means you thought about it but may not have actually done it. "I looked" means you definitely performed the action of looking or searching.