contemplated doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contemplated doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing thoughts or considerations about taking a specific action in the future. Example: "She contemplated doing a solo trip around Europe to explore new cultures and experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I contemplated doing or saying more, but held back.

The New York Times - Sports

I know the terrible thing that you, if only for a fleeting moment, contemplated doing.

The New Yorker

Since everyone in the family was healthy they contemplated doing without it.

The Guardian

And it is even more breathtaking that Turnbull appears to have contemplated doing so again.

The Guardian - Opinion

The war over, Gaby contemplated doing a PhD and ski-ed as a member of the Cambridge Ladies team.

Independent

Show your adoration by doing things to him you never even contemplated doing with that boring loser Steve!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But there is a large Greek fly in the ointment.A "renegotiation" of the sort being contemplated does nothing to sort out the mess in Greece.

The Economist

America, as currently contemplated, doesn't work.

Vice

"Which I am actually contemplating doing right now," he added.

The New York Times

Before the program, "there's no way we could even contemplate doing that," Mr. Markovich said.

The New York Times - Health

"Really seriously contemplating doing that because I felt the prospect was so frightening.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contemplated doing" to suggest a more thoughtful or prolonged consideration of an action, as opposed to a fleeting thought. The word "contemplated" implies a deeper level of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "contemplated to do" instead of "contemplated doing". The verb "contemplate" requires a gerund (verb + -ing) rather than an infinitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contemplated doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past consideration or intention towards a specific action. Ludwig examples show its use in describing decisions or potential actions considered by individuals or entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contemplated doing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that indicates thoughtful consideration of an action. Ludwig's examples show frequent usage in "News & Media" sources, demonstrating a neutral register adaptable to varied contexts. While grammatically correct, writers should remember to use the gerund form ("doing") rather than the infinitive ("to do"). For alternative phrasing, consider options like "considered undertaking" or "thought about performing" to subtly alter the nuance. With its correct usage, "contemplated doing" can effectively convey a sense of deliberation and intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered undertaking

Replaces "doing" with a more formal synonym, "undertaking", which emphasizes a serious or significant action.

considered carrying out

Similar to "considered undertaking", but "carrying out" implies a more practical and hands-on approach to the action.

thought about performing

Substitutes "contemplated" with "thought about" and "doing" with "performing", suggesting a less formal and more general consideration of an action.

deliberated about undertaking

"Deliberated about" emphasizes a careful and thorough consideration, with "undertaking" adding a sense of formality and seriousness.

entertained the idea of executing

Uses "entertained the idea of" instead of "contemplated", making the consideration more abstract, and "executing" for "doing", which implies a plan.

reflected on implementing

Highlights the reflective aspect of the consideration, with "implementing" suggesting a structured and planned action.

weighed up the option of completing

Replaces "contemplated" with "weighed up the option", highlighting the evaluation process, and "completing" for "doing", which suggests finishing an action.

mused over the possibility of enacting

"Mused over" suggests a thoughtful, almost dreamy consideration, while "enacting" is a more formal way of saying "doing."

pondered the notion of achieving

"Pondered the notion" suggests a deep and thoughtful consideration, while "achieving" focuses on the end result of the action.

envisioned executing

Focuses on visualizing the action being done, where "executing" suggests the practical steps.

FAQs

What does "contemplated doing" mean?

The phrase "contemplated doing" signifies that someone has been thinking seriously about performing a particular action, considering its implications and consequences.

What are some alternatives to "contemplated doing"?

You can use alternatives such as "considered undertaking", "thought about performing", or "considered carrying out" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "contemplated doing" in a sentence?

You can use "contemplated doing" to describe a past consideration. For example, "She "contemplated doing" a solo trip around Europe" or "He "contemplated doing" a career change".

Is it correct to say "contemplated to do" instead of "contemplated doing"?

No, it's not correct. "Contemplated" should be followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing). The correct form is "contemplated doing", not "contemplated to do".