considered calling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considered calling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of thinking about making a phone call, often implying that the decision is not yet made. Example: "I considered calling my friend to discuss the issue, but I decided to send a text instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Topp said he considered calling the police.

The Guardian - Business

In his 20s, he briefly considered calling it quits.

The Guardian - Film

I considered calling a lawyer, but I never did.

The New York Times - Food

At later points, she seriously considered calling it off.

Independent

I considered calling 911, but her pulse was there.

The New York Times - Magazine

He considered calling the new company Box Buddies.

The New York Times

He considered calling this book "Between Obituaries," and, again, with good reason.

The New York Times - Books

He briefly considered calling it a night and driving back to Connecticut.

The New York Times

JUST for a moment, Karl Groeger Jr. considered calling it quits.

The New York Times

Grant considered calling the album The Anger Stage, after the Kübler-Ross model of grief.

The Guardian - Music

Dr. Crew says he seriously considered calling the press to disavow the results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context provides clarity about why the call was considered but possibly not executed. The reason for hesitation or alternative action can enrich the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "considered to call". The correct form is "considered calling" because "consider" takes a gerund (verb + -ing) when expressing contemplation of an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considered calling" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of contemplating a phone call. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. The verb 'consider' is followed by a gerund, creating a noun phrase that acts as the object of the verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considered calling" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express contemplation regarding making a phone call. As Ludwig indicates, its high frequency, particularly in news and media, underscores its widespread use. While alternatives like "thought about calling" or "contemplated calling" exist, "considered calling" provides a balanced and universally understood way to communicate the act of deliberation before making a phone call. Remember to use the correct tense and be mindful of the context to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought about calling

Replaces "considered" with "thought about", emphasizing the act of thinking.

contemplated calling

Uses "contemplated" to suggest a more deliberate consideration.

entertained the idea of calling

Expresses considering calling as a possibility.

weighed up calling

Implies a careful evaluation before deciding to call.

mused about calling

Suggests a thoughtful and quiet consideration of calling.

had in mind to call

Focuses on the intention of calling, though not necessarily acted upon.

felt like calling

Expresses a desire or inclination to call.

was on the verge of calling

Indicates being close to making the call, but not quite.

almost called

Highlights the near action of calling.

debated whether to call

Emphasizes the internal conflict about whether to make the call.

FAQs

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

You can use "considered calling" to indicate that someone contemplated making a phone call, but it’s uncertain if the call was made. For example: "I "thought about calling" the customer service, but I decided to email them instead."

What can I say instead of "considered calling"?

You can use alternatives like ""thought about calling"", "contemplated calling", or "entertained the idea of calling" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "considered to call" instead of "considered calling"?

No, "considered to call" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "considered calling" because "consider" is followed by a gerund when expressing contemplation of an action.

What's the difference between "considered calling" and "almost called"?

"Considered calling" implies contemplation without a definite action, while "almost called" suggests being very close to making the call, hinting that it may not have happened but the intention was strong.