I were considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I were considering" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "I was considering," which is used to express a thought or contemplation in the past. Example: "If I were considering a career change, I would explore my options thoroughly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The pretrial hearings, which have been suspended pending compliance with Justice Mur tagh's direction that the de fendants promise to behave, I were considering motions by the defendant's for the sup pression as evidence of guns and ammunition seized in their homes when they were ar rested.

The New York Times

It's not something that I've had personal experience with, but I think that if I were considering a relationship with someone in an open marriage, I'd ask to meet the person's other partner before it got too serious, just to double check that everything is really OK (as any digital dater knows, it's very easy to fake things online).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If I were considering my options, this might be mildly useful — it might be, as happiness experts like Daniel Gilbert and Gretchen Rubin say, that we do not always know what will make us happy, which makes it more useful to know what has affected the happiness of others.

The New York Times

Re "What Happens if We're Wrong?" (Economic View, June 22), in which Peter L. Bernstein discussed the problems of risk management, whether in the housing mess or anywhere else: Reading the column took me back to 1975, when my wife and I were considering moving from our $1,000-a-month rent-stabilized apartment to a $70,000 co-op across the street in Manhattan.

The New York Times

"If I were considering starting a startup, I know I'd be very encouraged by hearing how other women did it," she said.

TechCrunch

"Go back where you come from!" After living in the U.S. for over a decade, my husband and I were considering moving to Dubai.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Only (i) is considered.

Advances in Difference Equations

I was considering that.

The Guardian

I was considering what I wanted".

The New Yorker

I'm considering both programs.

Cornell University

I'm considering various resolutions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form "I was considering" when expressing a past continuous action of thinking about something. The phrase "I were considering" is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Common error

Ensure the verb "to be" agrees with the subject. With the pronoun "I", the correct past tense form is "was", not "were". Using "were" with "I" is a common mistake that should be avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I were considering" functions as part of a conditional clause or a statement expressing a thought process. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incorrect, requiring correction to "I was considering."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I were considering" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I was considering", which expresses a past continuous action of thinking about something. While this error may occur in speech, it should be avoided in formal writing. Alternatives include "I was thinking about" or "I contemplated". It's essential to ensure subject-verb agreement for clarity and grammatical correctness. The usage analysis reveals its infrequency and highlights the importance of using the accurate grammatical form in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was considering

Corrects the grammatical error by using the correct past tense form of 'to be' with 'I'.

I was thinking about

Replaces 'considering' with 'thinking about' while maintaining the past continuous tense.

I contemplated

Uses a more formal verb 'contemplated' to express deep thought or consideration.

I entertained the idea of

Expresses considering something as a possibility or option.

I weighed the possibility of

Highlights the process of evaluating the potential outcomes or implications.

I gave thought to

Indicates that some reflection or deliberation occurred.

I took into consideration

Focuses on including something in one's evaluation or decision-making process.

I reflected on

Emphasizes a deeper, more thoughtful examination.

I had in mind

Implies a plan or intention that was being considered.

I was toying with the idea of

Suggests a casual or less serious consideration of something.

FAQs

Why is "I were considering" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "I were considering" is incorrect because the past tense form of the verb "to be" must agree with the subject. The correct form for "I" is "was", making "I was considering" the grammatically correct choice.

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

"I was considering" indicates a past action of thinking about something, while "I am considering" suggests a present or ongoing action of thinking about something.

Can I use "I were considering" in any context?

No, "I were considering" is not grammatically correct in standard English and should be avoided in all contexts. Always use "I was considering" instead.

What are some alternatives to "I was considering"?

You can use alternatives like "I was thinking about", "I contemplated", or "I entertained the idea of" depending on the context.