I previously considered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I previously considered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to thoughts or ideas that you have thought about in the past. Example: "I previously considered several options before making my final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They have, however, convinced me of something else I previously considered unthinkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Anti-capital punishment and pro-women's rights, he continuously was the voice that appealed to me the most to see subjects that I had thought I had previously considered and formed an opinion on, but the strength of his arguments and ideas regularly gave me a fresh set of eyes and ears to familiar quandaries.

Huffington Post

That race was the best way to kick off what I called My Life, Part 2 -- I'd worked toward and accomplished a goal I'd previously considered impossible.

Huffington Post

The emotional turmoil that is the GoT franchise means I have to bestow them far more sympathy than I have previously considered, which does not sit well with me at all.

Independent

There are many reasons to think Shakespeare an unparalleled genius, but being a double-prequellist was not one I'd previously considered.

The Guardian - Books

"Counter-terrorism was not something I had previously considered," observes fellow student, Graham Price, 23. "It was surprising how great an effect the design of an area can have on its ability to cope with a terrorist attack".

The Guardian

That, or my own ineptitude is more concerning that I'd previously considered.

Vice

I remind myself thAn some boundassociate meant to stay In place.

Vice

I hadn't previously considered acting, but I was in a play through my school that went to the Edinburgh Festival, I got an agent he's still my agent and now I'm here with you nice people.

Huffington Post

Of those children who failed the "Can your child say 50 words?" question, 134343%) had previously been allocated to the "core" HPI group (i.e. previously considered to require no routine support) and four (36%) of those failing the SSLM 10 word cut off also had "core" HPI status prior to the 30 month assessment.

BMC Pediatrics

I'll be honest, I'd never previously considered the amount of movement in my orgasm habits prior to that conversation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I previously considered" to introduce a shift in your current perspective or decision, highlighting that your initial thoughts were different from your present stance.

Common error

Avoid using "I previously considered" when your viewpoint hasn't changed. This phrase is most effective when indicating a shift in your thinking, not to simply state a past consideration that still holds true.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I previously considered" functions as a statement of past contemplation or evaluation. It indicates that the speaker has thought about something in the past. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I previously considered" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a past thought or evaluation, often to highlight a change in perspective. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While suitable for various registers, it's most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Remember to use it when indicating a shift in your thinking, contrasting it with your current stance. Alternatives include phrases like "I had earlier thought about" or "I once contemplated". The phrase effectively bridges past considerations with present realities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had earlier thought about

Replaces "considered" with "thought about" and uses "earlier" to indicate past consideration.

I once contemplated

Uses "contemplated" to mean considered, and "once" specifies it happened at some point in the past.

I had contemplated before

Changes the word order and replaces "previously" with "before" maintaining the original meaning.

I had previously entertained

Synonymous replacement of 'considered' with 'entertained', maintaining the original sentence structure.

I had once thought about

Combination of "once contemplated" and "thought about", emphasizing the past and the act of thinking.

I had at one time entertained the idea of

Adds more emphasis by using the expression "entertained the idea of", indicating a temporary consideration.

I used to consider

Using "used to" to express a past habit of considering something.

I gave thought to before

Uses the expression "gave thought to" instead of "considered", indicating a reflection in the past.

I formerly reflected on

Uses "reflected on" as a more formal substitute for "considered", and "formerly" for "previously".

I had at some point considered

Expresses the consideration happened at an indefinite time in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "I previously considered" in a sentence?

Use "I previously considered" to indicate something you thought about in the past, especially if your current opinion or action differs from that initial thought. For example, "I previously considered a career in finance, but now I'm pursuing medicine."

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

You can use alternatives like "I had earlier thought about", "I once contemplated", or "I formerly reflected on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I had previously considered"?

Yes, "I had previously considered" is grammatically correct. The addition of "had" emphasizes that the consideration occurred before another point in time, adding a layer of past perfect tense.

What is the difference between "I previously considered" and "I currently consider"?

"I previously considered" indicates a past thought or idea, while "I currently consider" indicates a present one. The first suggests a possible change in perspective, whereas the second reflects your present viewpoint.