I considered not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I considered not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a decision or thought process regarding not doing something. Example: "I considered not attending the meeting due to the weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I considered not saying anything.

The New York Times - Food

And, yeah, I considered not saying anything.

Independent

When I was invited to visit the crash site in Pennsylvania, I considered not going.

The New Yorker

There was a moment before I sat down to write this that I considered not being entirely truthful about who my film role model actually is.

The Guardian - Film

I considered not even mentioning Duley's injuries in this review, not least because because the images deserve to stand on their own without being viewed though the prism of his traumatically life-changing experience.

The Guardian - Books

After the attack, I considered not coming any further out of the closet myself.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But it actually conveys my contempt for sports, which I consider not only frivolous but interchangeably so.

The New Yorker

I will indicate sections which I consider not very helpful as I will walk through the text.

Biology Direct

I never considered not running: I worried I wouldn't get in!

The Guardian - Opinion

I never considered not writing.

The New Yorker

"I even considered not doing chemotherapy at all".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I considered not" with a gerund (verb + -ing) to clearly state the action you contemplated avoiding; for example, "I considered not going".

Common error

Avoid using "I considered not" when you simply forgot or didn't think about something. This phrase implies a deliberate choice, not an oversight. For unintentional omissions, phrases like "I didn't think to..." or "It didn't occur to me..." are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I considered not" functions as an introductory clause, typically followed by a verb in the gerund form, to introduce a contemplated action that was ultimately not undertaken. It sets the stage for explaining the reasoning behind not pursuing a specific course of action, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I considered not" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey that one has contemplated refraining from a certain action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides multiple examples from reputable sources. While not extremely common, it is frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "I thought about not" or "I contemplated not" can be used for similar effect. It's important to use the phrase when a deliberate decision-making process involving an alternative option is intended, rather than a simple oversight. Remember that this tool has indicated that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I thought about not

Focuses on the thinking process leading to a potential decision; slightly more informal.

I contemplated not

Emphasizes a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration of refraining.

I entertained the idea of not

Highlights the temporary consideration of an alternative.

I weighed the option of not

Suggests a careful evaluation of pros and cons before discarding an option.

I debated whether to not

Implies an internal argument or uncertainty.

I mulled over not

Indicates a prolonged and perhaps hesitant consideration.

I was on the verge of not

Emphasizes the nearness to making the opposite decision.

It crossed my mind to not

Suggests a fleeting thought or idea.

I had half a mind to not

Indicates a wavering intention or a lack of strong conviction.

I nearly didn't

Highlights the near avoidance of something, focusing on the outcome more than the thought process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I considered not" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you might use phrases like "I contemplated not", "I entertained the idea of not", or "I weighed the option of not". Each of these "alternatives" suggests a more deliberate thought process.

Is "I considered to not" grammatically correct instead of "I considered not"?

While understandable, "I considered to not" is less idiomatic than "I considered not". The latter is generally preferred and more common in standard English.

When is it better to use "I decided not to" versus "I considered not"?

"I considered not" indicates the stage of deliberation, while "I decided not to" signifies a completed decision. Use "I considered not" when you want to highlight the thought process, and "I decided not to" when you want to emphasize the final choice.

What's the difference between "I considered not going" and "I almost didn't go"?

"I considered not going" means you thought about not going, but the outcome is unknown. "I almost didn't go" implies you nearly didn't go, suggesting you eventually did go but were close to not doing so. The focus shifts from the thought process to the proximity of the action not happening.