I was contemplating

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "I was contemplating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing that you were thinking deeply and seriously about something. Example: I was contemplating the long-term consequences of my decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe I was contemplating the sky.

The New Yorker

Now I was contemplating an abortion myself.

The New York Times

That is what I was contemplating on the long journey back from the Russian frontier.

Independent

On my last trip to Italy I was contemplating a novel in three voices.

The New York Times - Books

It made me feel that I was contemplating the ruins of 60 years of work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That picnic I was contemplating when I landed at the airport?

The Washington Post

I was contemplating what to do when I saw Seve racing down on his buggy.

The Guardian - Sport

At this I was contemplating about four plants too many for the space in my borders.

The New York Times

I could hardly focus on the music while I was contemplating being on his shoulders.

The Guardian - Music

As I was contemplating the many scenarios the figures evoked — an immigration raid?

The New York Times - Arts

I was contemplating the nature of cookbooks while reading William Sitwell's new book, "A History of Food in 100 Recipes".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was contemplating" to convey a sense of careful and thorough consideration, particularly when the subject matter is complex or significant.

Common error

Avoid using "I was contemplating" when a simpler phrase like "I was thinking about" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was contemplating" functions as part of the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing state of thinking or considering something at a particular time in the past. It's often used to set the scene or provide context for a decision or action, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was contemplating" is a versatile construction used to express a state of thoughtful consideration in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed. The phrase, as shown by examples, typically appears in neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles and professional writing, signifying a serious engagement with a particular subject. While alternatives like "I was thinking about" and "I was considering" exist, "I was contemplating" suggests a deeper level of reflection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was considering

Similar in meaning, but suggests a slightly earlier stage of thought than "contemplating".

I was pondering

Implies a deeper, more philosophical level of thought.

I was mulling over

Implies turning something over in one's mind for a while.

I was thinking about

More informal and general, suitable for everyday conversation.

I was reflecting on

Suggests looking back at a past event or experience.

I was giving thought to

More formal and emphasizes the act of deliberate consideration.

I was weighing up

Focuses on evaluating different options or aspects.

I entertained the idea of

Suggests considering something as a possibility.

I had in mind

Indicates an intention or plan that was being considered.

I was envisioning

Focuses on creating a mental image of something in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "I was contemplating" in a sentence?

Use "I was contemplating" to express that you were thinking deeply or seriously about something. For example, "I was contemplating the meaning of life" or "I was contemplating a career change".

What can I say instead of "I was contemplating"?

You can use alternatives like "I was considering", "I was thinking about", or "I was pondering" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "I was contemplating about" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "I was contemplating". The word "about" is redundant after "contemplating".

What's the difference between "I was contemplating" and "I was considering"?

"I was contemplating" often suggests a more profound or prolonged period of thought than "I was considering". Contemplating implies a deeper engagement with the subject matter.