been contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been contemplated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing thoughts, ideas, or plans that have been considered or thought about in the past. Example: "The proposal for the new project has been contemplated for several months before any decisions were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No further renewal of Mr. Bing's contract has been contemplated.

The New Yorker

But had contraction been contemplated a decade or so ago, the Indians might be extinct.

The New York Times - Sports

But a civil action has also apparently been contemplated for much longer than a few days.

The New York Times

It would have been madness, but in the past it would have been contemplated".

The Guardian

The evacuation of Orel had long been contemplated and was finally carried out undisturbed by the enemy.

The New Yorker

He added, "This had been contemplated from the start, from the very beginning, but that is effective today".

The New York Times

It had been contemplated that a Conservative would be the first to occupy the presidency in 1958.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The type of E-911 system we are currently implementing could not even have been contemplated 13 years ago".

The New York Times

Although various grand bargains and proposals have been contemplated, the level of mistrust is simply too high to facilitate comprehensive settlements.

The New York Times

One change that has been contemplated is a financial transaction tax, which would force firms to pay a small levy on each trade.

The New York Times

But despite disclosures that led to the police inquiries into three peers, no comprehensive audit of the upper house has yet been contemplated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been contemplated" when you want to convey that something has been thoughtfully considered as a possibility or course of action, but not necessarily decided upon.

Common error

Avoid using "been contemplated" when a simpler phrase like "will be considered" or "is being planned" would suffice for expressing future actions that are under active consideration. "Been contemplated" is better suited for ideas with a history of consideration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "been contemplated" is as the past participle form of the verb 'contemplate' in the passive voice. It describes an action that has been performed on a subject, indicating that the subject has been considered or thought about.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been contemplated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates something has been thoughtfully considered. Ludwig AI highlights that it appears most often in News & Media and Science sources, showing its adaptability across different contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider simpler alternatives for future-tense scenarios and to be mindful of the level of formality required. Remember to utilize this phrase when you want to convey thoughtful consideration of a possibility, but not necessarily a confirmed decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been considered

Focuses more on the act of thinking about something, without necessarily implying planning.

been envisioned

Emphasizes the creation of a mental image or idea of something in the future.

been planned

Highlights the development of a detailed strategy or course of action.

been anticipated

Stresses the expectation or prediction of something that is likely to happen.

been weighed

Indicates a careful evaluation of different options or factors.

been entertained

Suggests that an idea or possibility has been considered, often tentatively.

been explored

Implies a thorough investigation or examination of something.

been speculated

Highlights the act of forming a theory or conjecture about something without firm evidence.

been foreseen

Emphasizes the ability to see or predict something in advance.

been intended

Focuses on the purpose or aim behind an action or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "been contemplated" in a sentence?

You can use "been contemplated" to indicate that something has been considered as a possibility. For instance, "The merger had "been contemplated" for years before it finally happened".

What are some alternatives to "been contemplated"?

Alternatives include phrases like "been considered", "been planned", or "been envisioned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "been contemplated" formal or informal?

"Been contemplated" is generally suitable for formal writing and professional contexts. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for informal conversation.

What's the difference between "been contemplated" and "been considered"?

While both phrases suggest thinking about something, "been contemplated" often implies a more thorough or prolonged consideration than "been considered". Contemplation suggests deeper thought and evaluation.