I kept contemplating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I kept contemplating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that you were repeatedly or continuously thinking about something over a period of time. Example: "I kept contemplating the decision, weighing the pros and cons before making a final choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I kept contemplating what would they think of me and how I can impress them.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We can keep contemplating the sky, but the reality is on Earth, and, more specifically, our seas.

HuffPost

Keep studying, keep contemplating what you've read and memorized (memorizing important quotes from Buddhist scriptures that the Dalai Lama quotes in his books is an important step to understanding and ingraining the philosophical ideas of Tibetan Buddhism into your mind), keep meditating.

WikiHow

I kept driving, contemplating that question for another block or so and then I turned around.

HuffPost

I'd love to claim that this death mask serves as a sort of memento mori or that I keep it as a tool for contemplating the abysmal depths that reside within us all, but considering it lives in my sock drawer and only comes out to spook houseguests, I'm just gonna admit that it's an evilnir.

Vice

James kept perversely contemplating a situation in which his finest defensive weapon — a rhetoric of exquisite gradations — would be of no use.

The New Yorker

As we contemplate the government's next target, I keep my fear in check.

The New York Times

It's taken the death of the likes of the wonderful Pan Am to keep them contemplating the horizon rather than their navels.

The New York Times

To keep an eye on: Is Giuliani contemplating another Presidential run? "His high-profile reemergence, coinciding with the return of terror to the national headlines and numerous Sunday shows appearances bashing the president on the issue, leaves little doubt that he wants to be in the national mix," writes Politico's Maggie Haberman.

The New Yorker

I suppose I was… contemplating things actually.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

But as a civilian, I'll admit I contemplated booing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I kept contemplating" to express a sense of prolonged or repeated thought about a particular issue or decision. It is suitable when you want to emphasize the duration of your contemplation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "I continually considered" or "I often pondered" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I kept contemplating" functions as a statement of continuous mental activity. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used. The word "kept" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the contemplation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I kept contemplating" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a prolonged or repeated act of thinking deeply about something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While suitable for various contexts, consider using synonyms to avoid repetition and tailor the tone to your specific needs. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was constantly pondering

Replaces "kept contemplating" with "was constantly pondering", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the thought process.

I continually considered

Substitutes "kept contemplating" with "continually considered", highlighting the repeated act of thinking something over.

I remained absorbed in thought about

Replaces the whole phrase with a more descriptive expression indicating deep and persistent thought.

I found myself dwelling on

Expresses a similar meaning by indicating that the subject's thoughts were repeatedly returning to a specific topic.

I persisted in thinking about

Emphasizes the continued effort of thinking about something, replacing "kept contemplating" with a more direct phrase.

My thoughts were consumed by

Indicates that the subject's mind was largely occupied by a specific thought, offering a stronger emphasis on preoccupation.

I never stopped reflecting on

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the reflection, similar to the original phrase's sense of continuity.

I mulled over incessantly

Replaces "kept contemplating" with "mulled over incessantly", emphasizing a more internal and perhaps anxious form of contemplation.

I turned over in my mind repeatedly

Describes the act of contemplating as a mental turning over, indicating thorough consideration.

I was endlessly thinking over

Expresses the idea of continuous and perhaps repetitive thinking.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I kept contemplating" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "I continually considered", "I often pondered", or "I was constantly thinking about it" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

What's the difference between "I kept contemplating" and "I contemplated"?

"I contemplated" suggests a one-time act of thinking, while "I kept contemplating" implies a repeated or continuous process of consideration.

Is it more appropriate to use "I kept contemplating" or "I was contemplating"?

"I kept contemplating" emphasizes the duration and repetition of the thought process. "I was contemplating", on the other hand, highlights an action in progress, which may or may not be repetitive. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "I kept contemplating" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "I kept contemplating" is suitable for formal writing, but consider the alternatives for a more sophisticated tone. Phrases like "I continually considered" or "I frequently reflected on" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.