I had contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had contemplated" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the past perfect tense of the verb "to contemplate," meaning to consider or think about something deeply. Example: Before making my decision, I had contemplated all the possible outcomes and consequences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

More than once, I had contemplated whipping up a batch.

The New York Times

The sums of money that I would be borrowing were larger than any amount that I had contemplated before.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the last year, in the wake of my own marital disintegration, I had contemplated a kind of passive suicide myself.

The New York Times

I had contemplated staying overnight at the Priory (doubles from £90 B&B), which has seven basic but comfortable rooms, but the bad weather had truly dug in.

The Guardian - Travel

The night before, camped out on a platform in the middle of the Okefenokee Swamp, I had contemplated the stars to the accompaniment of a million or so pig frogs croaking, three or four of them right under my platform.

The New York Times - Travel

He told BBC Radio York: "At the end of last season I had contemplated hanging up my boots so I hadn't really entertained any offers.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"But I've contemplated this and wondered, Should they think I'm enjoying it?

The New York Times - Magazine

I have contemplated telling my supervisor about my intention to apply, in the interest of disclosure.

The New York Times

Twice I have contemplated suicide, but common sense and the survival instinct prevailed.

The New York Times

So of all the D.I.Y. projects I've contemplated, nothing could be more apropos than making my own Easter chicks.

The New York Times - Food

On several of my embarrassingly frequent visits, I've contemplated a peach-colored 1960s belt with gold grommets for $45.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had contemplated" when you want to express that you deeply considered something before a certain point in the past. For instance, "I had contemplated moving abroad before I accepted the job offer."

Common error

Avoid using "I have contemplated" when you need to indicate an action completed before another point in the past. "I had contemplated" (past perfect) is correct for this, while "I have contemplated" (present perfect) relates to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had contemplated" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It signifies an action of considering or thinking about something deeply that was completed before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and common phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I had contemplated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a past perfect verb phrase indicating deep consideration before a specific point in the past. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, with some presence in Science and Formal & Business writing, the phrase conveys a neutral to formal tone.

When using "I had contemplated", ensure correct tense usage, distinguishing it from "I have contemplated". Alternatives like "I had considered" or "I had thought about" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By using this phrase accurately, you can provide valuable context and background information to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had considered

Focuses more on the act of thinking about something as a possibility or option.

I had thought about

A more general way of expressing that something was on your mind.

I had been thinking of

Implies a more ongoing or continuous consideration of something.

I had entertained the idea of

Suggests considering something as a potential course of action or belief.

I had envisioned

Implies creating a mental image or scenario of something.

I had imagined

Similar to envisioned, but can also involve fantasy or speculation.

I had planned

Focuses on the intention to do something, not just thinking about it.

I had anticipated

Emphasizes expecting something to happen in the future.

I had foreseen

Suggests a prediction or expectation based on insight or knowledge.

I had pondered

Implies deep and careful thought, often about a complex issue.

FAQs

How do I use "I had contemplated" in a sentence?

Use "I had contemplated" to describe a thought or consideration that occurred before a specific event in the past. For example: "I had contemplated quitting my job before I received the promotion".

What's the difference between "I had contemplated" and "I contemplated"?

"I had contemplated" indicates that the contemplation occurred and finished before another point in the past. "I contemplated" simply describes a past action. For example: "I had contemplated moving before I bought the house" versus "I contemplated moving last year".

What can I say instead of "I had contemplated"?

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

Is it correct to say "I have contemplated" instead of "I had contemplated"?

"I have contemplated" is used for actions that have relevance to the present. Use "I had contemplated" when the action was completed before another event in the past. For example: "I have contemplated my future" vs "I had contemplated my future before making this decision".