considered divorce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considered divorce" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express the act of contemplating or thinking about divorce, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "After years of conflict, they finally considered divorce as a viable option."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Infuriated, she considered divorce.

The New York Times - Health

Have you considered divorce?

The New York Times

Dickens never considered divorce.

The Guardian - Books

Pam: We never considered divorce.

The New York Times

Have you ever considered divorce?

The New York Times

Bob: We never considered divorce.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

More than once they considered divorcing.

The New York Times

When two birds are paired one year but seek new partners the next, they are considered "divorced".

The New York Times - Science

The State Department documents released by WikiLeaks included a suggestion that Mr. Wen had once considered divorcing Ms. Zhang because she had exploited their relationship in her diamond trades.

The New York Times

He had persuaded Lee's mother, Florence MacDonald, a Canadian nurse from a respectable family, to pose nude for him before they were married, and if he later philandered with impunity she considered divorcing him to marry a lover.

The New Yorker

She considered divorcing her husband, a move that could qualify her for Medicaid, or moving to Massachusetts, where she thought she might be able to afford and qualify for a policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing marital difficulties, use more precise and grammatically correct phrases like "thought about divorce" or "contemplated divorce" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "considered divorce" due to its awkward phrasing. Opt for stronger and more accurate alternatives to express your intended meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considered divorce" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. While used to express the act of thinking about divorce, it is often perceived as grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI suggests alternatives for improved clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "considered divorce" is used to describe the act of contemplating the dissolution of a marriage. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's not considered grammatically correct. While common, especially in news and media, opting for alternatives like "contemplated divorce" or "thought about divorce" improves clarity and precision. Using grammatically sound alternatives ensures effective communication in both formal and informal contexts. Despite its prevalence, more accurate phrasing is generally recommended to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemplated divorce

Suggests a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration of divorce.

considered ending the marriage

A broader phrase that avoids the legal term "divorce".

thought about divorce

Focuses on the act of thinking without necessarily implying serious consideration.

weighed up divorce

Emphasizes the process of balancing the pros and cons of divorce.

evaluated divorce

Indicates a formal assessment or review of divorce as an option.

entertained the idea of divorce

Implies briefly considering divorce without strong commitment.

assessed the possibility of divorce

Highlights the act of determining the likelihood or feasibility of divorce.

mulled over divorce

Suggests a deep and prolonged period of consideration.

thought of separating

Focuses on physical separation rather than legal divorce.

mused over divorce

Implies a more casual or reflective consideration.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "considered divorce"?

Better options include "thought about divorce" or "contemplated divorce", both of which are clearer and more precise.

Is "considered divorce" technically incorrect?

Yes, "considered divorce" is not standard English. It's more correct to say someone "considered divorcing" or "thought about divorce".

When is it appropriate to use "considered divorce"?

While it appears in some publications, it's generally best to avoid "considered divorce" in formal writing. Instead, use alternatives like "contemplated divorce" for a more refined expression.

How does "considered separation" compare to "considered divorce"?

"Considered separation" refers to the act of thinking about living apart, whereas "considered divorce" specifically addresses the legal dissolution of the marriage. Separation may be a precursor to divorce, but it doesn't necessarily lead to it.