I never contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I never contemplated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you did not think about or consider something at any point in time. Example: "I never contemplated the possibility of moving to another country until the job offer came in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I never contemplated it at all — never!" he said.

The New York Times

I never contemplated not being a New Yorker.

The New York Times

Frankly, though, I never contemplated a Danny Baker-style valediction.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is not lost on me that the Wilson Award selection committee has this year chosen a journalist — at a time when the profession is under attack to a degree that I never contemplated possible," he said.

Princeton University

I don't mean to sound immodest, but over the years I had inquiries from most of our global competitors about either their top job or a very senior job, and I never contemplated taking any of them.

Harvard Business Review

"I never contemplated the notion of being in business for myself," says Chugar.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Of course I came," I said, wounded, as if I had never contemplated otherwise.

The New Yorker

I can honestly declare that I have never contemplated topping a bagel and cream cheese with Pickapeppa sauce, but maybe I'm missing something.

Huffington Post

"I certainly never contemplated packing it in, but I certainly wondered if I would ever get to the level I was at in 2006".

The New York Times - Sports

"I have never contemplated the thought that I'm not going to win".

The Guardian

As such, I had to do something I have never contemplated before in treatment.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the context. While usable in news and general writing, in formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "I did not anticipate" or "I had not foreseen" for enhanced precision.

Common error

Avoid using "I never contemplated" in very casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I never thought about it" or "It never occurred to me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I never contemplated" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of prior consideration or thought. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase often introduces a surprising or unexpected outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I never contemplated" is a useful expression to convey a lack of prior thought or consideration. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and often used to introduce a surprising realization or unexpected event. While slightly formal, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, consider the level of formality and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember that while usable, it's not as common as simpler alternatives like "I never thought about it".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I never considered

Replaces "contemplated" with "considered", a more common and direct synonym.

I never thought about

Uses a simpler phrasing with "thought about" instead of "contemplated".

It never occurred to me

Shifts the focus to the idea not arising in one's mind, rather than active contemplation.

I had not foreseen

Implies a lack of anticipation or prediction of a particular event or situation.

I did not anticipate

Similar to "had not foreseen" but uses "anticipate" for a more formal tone.

I hadn't imagined

Focuses on the lack of mental imagery or visualization of something.

I never envisioned

Similar to "hadn't imagined" but emphasizes a more detailed or planned mental picture.

I didn't foresee

Uses a more concise phrasing by contracting "did not".

I had never reckoned with

Implies a failure to account for or consider something, often a challenge or obstacle.

I hadn't bargained for

Suggests an unexpected or unwelcome outcome that was not anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "I never contemplated" in a sentence?

You can use "I never contemplated" to express that you did not consider something at all. For example, "I never contemplated the possibility of moving abroad until this job offer came along".

What are some alternatives to "I never contemplated"?

Alternatives include "I never considered", "I never thought about", or "It never occurred to me", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I never contemplated" formal or informal?

While usable in various contexts, "I never contemplated" leans toward the more formal side. In very casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "I never contemplated" and "I never considered"?

Both phrases express a lack of prior thought, but "contemplated" suggests a deeper, more prolonged consideration than "considered". Therefore, "I never considered" might imply a quicker dismissal, while "I never contemplated" suggests the thought was entirely absent.