considered asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considered asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reflecting on the thought of making a request or inquiry in the past. Example: "I had considered asking for help, but I decided to try solving the problem on my own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have you considered asking her to dinner?

The New York Times - Magazine

She considered asking him to marry her.

The New York Times

Have you considered asking a physical trainer for suggestions?

Columbia University

He never considered asking to reglaze the long expanse.

The New York Times

Edwin considered asking to go to the emergency room.

The New York Times

I considered asking him if this was something Bryan Brown had said in "Cocktail".

The New York Times - Food

She considered asking Tony for vengeance, and apparently decided against it.

The New York Times - Arts

I've considered asking to be relieved of the role of autism lead.

The Guardian

Ghaith considered asking for his money back, too, but he changed his mind after that.

The New Yorker

He looked at me bemused, probably considered asking for my resignation, and demanded that I explain.

The Guardian

He initially considered asking his father or his former 49ers coach, Bill Walsh.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "considered asking" when you want to convey that someone has thought about making a request but may or may not have acted on it. It implies a degree of deliberation or contemplation.

Common error

Avoid using "considered asking" when you want to emphasize that a request was definitely made. It is better to use "asked" in such cases, as "considered asking" implies the possibility that the action didn't occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considered asking" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past contemplation of initiating a request. As Ludwig AI highlights, it expresses the act of thinking about asking something. The examples provided show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "considered asking" is a commonly used verb phrase that expresses the act of contemplating a request or inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and formal communications. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey the idea of contemplation rather than a completed action. Alternatives such as "thought about asking" or "contemplated requesting" can be used to adjust the nuance or formality. To improve writing, use "considered asking" when reflecting on a past intention to make a request and avoid using it when you want to highlight that the asking was definitely made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought about asking

Changes "considered" to the more casual "thought about", softening the level of deliberation.

contemplated requesting

Replaces both "considered" and "asking" with more formal synonyms, increasing the formality.

entertained the idea of asking

Adds a layer of speculation by using "entertained the idea", suggesting a less serious consideration.

pondered whether to ask

Replaces "considered" with "pondered" and rephrases the asking as a "whether to" clause, implying deep thought.

weighed up asking

Uses "weighed up" to convey the idea of carefully assessing the pros and cons of asking.

mused about asking

Replaces "considered" with "mused about", suggesting a more whimsical or reflective consideration.

had in mind to ask

Shifts the focus to intention by using "had in mind", suggesting a plan or intention to ask.

was on the verge of asking

Indicates imminent action, suggesting the speaker was close to asking but perhaps didn't.

felt inclined to ask

Emphasizes the feeling or urge to ask, rather than a rational decision.

had a notion to ask

Implies a sudden or fleeting idea to ask, making it less deliberate.

FAQs

How do I use "considered asking" in a sentence?

"Considered asking" is used to express that someone contemplated making a request or inquiry. For example: "She "considered asking" for a raise, but decided to wait until after her performance review."

What are some alternatives to "considered asking"?

You can use alternatives like "thought about asking", "contemplated requesting", or "entertained the idea of asking depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "considered to ask" instead of "considered asking"?

While "considered to ask" might seem similar, "considered asking" is generally the preferred and more grammatically sound construction. The gerund form "asking" functions as the object of the verb "considered".

What's the difference between "considered asking" and "almost asked"?

"Considered asking" implies contemplation without necessarily taking action. "Almost asked" suggests a stronger inclination and proximity to actually asking, indicating the action was nearly carried out but ultimately wasn't.