contemplate about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contemplate about" is not a correct English phrase.
In English, the phrase "contemplate" is used by itself without any prepositional phrase. For example: I took some time to contemplate the beauty of the sunrise.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Something to contemplate about the Packers: they made their Super Bowl run entirely on the road.

The New York Times

The strength of his book lies in his exhaustive, incisive exploration of possibilities that many people have barely begun to contemplate about a future dominated by China.

The New York Times - Books

Think and contemplate about 50% less than you're inclined to want to do.

HuffPost

I always contemplate about these encounters and what possible meaning they might carry.

HuffPost

And one of the scariest things to contemplate about the future is, what if the best days are behind us?

Huffington Post

I would only ever even contemplate about asking for favours/something if I have done the above 3 things for a prolonged period of time, at least six months minimum.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At this I was contemplating about four plants too many for the space in my borders.

The New York Times

Mr. Schroder's nephew, Curtis Schroder, who farms about 10,000 acres, said he was contemplating about the same degree of expansion on his land — to 640 acres, from 160 acres in this most recent crop.

The New York Times

Had Carson lived long enough to write the book she contemplated, about the rising seas and the changing climate, might it have been able to reach people's minds and hearts?

The New Yorker

Haines is skeptical about Californian horseracing ever enjoying the same gambling assets that other states enjoy: "There's even legislation contemplated about internet poker that we might or might not be part of.

The Guardian - Sport

If you really think there's nothing that needs examining, explaining, or contemplating about the causes of the current riots, then please steer clear of message boards and articles that are designed for precisely that purpose".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "contemplate about". Use "contemplate" followed directly by the object of your thought for grammatically correct writing.

Common error

The word "contemplate" already includes the meaning of "thinking about", making "about" redundant. Using it creates an unnecessary prepositional phrase that weakens the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contemplate about" functions as a verb phrase, but its usage is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct usage is to use "contemplate" without the preposition "about".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "contemplate about" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct usage is to use "contemplate" without the preposition "about". When writing, it's best to avoid "contemplate about" and instead opt for "contemplate" or alternatives like "think about" or "reflect on" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemplate

Removes the unnecessary preposition "about", aligning with standard English grammar.

consider

A direct synonym for "contemplate" without the grammatical error.

think about

A more common and grammatically sound way to express considering something.

give thought to

A more verbose but grammatically correct alternative.

reflect on

Emphasizes thoughtful consideration and introspection.

ponder over

Implies deep and careful thought about something.

deliberate on

Highlights the careful and methodical nature of the consideration.

muse on

Suggests a more dreamy and abstract form of contemplation.

meditate on

Focuses on a spiritual or deeply personal form of contemplation.

ruminate on

Suggests a slow and repetitive cycle of thought.

FAQs

Is "contemplate about" grammatically correct?

No, the correct usage is simply "contemplate". The word "contemplate" already implies "thinking about", so adding "about" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

What does "contemplate" mean?

"Contemplate" means to think deeply or carefully about something. Consider using synonyms like "think about", "reflect on", or "consider".

How can I use "contemplate" in a sentence?

You can use "contemplate" by following it directly with the object of your thought. For example, "I need to contemplate my next move" or "She contemplated the meaning of life."

Which is correct, "contemplate" or "contemplate about"?

"Contemplate" is the correct form. "Contemplate about" is redundant and considered grammatically incorrect. Alternatives to consider are "think about" or "reflect on".