contemplating

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "contemplating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of thinking deeply or considering something thoughtfully. Example: "She spent the afternoon contemplating her future and the choices she needed to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labour will surely spend the coming hours contemplating the fate of its leader, who – this poll says – was roundly rejected in both England and Scotland.

The Guardian - Opinion

Iowa Republicans voiced scepticism on Monday over Sarah Palin's claim to be contemplating a campaign for president in 2016, amid criticism of her unusual speech to a conservative rally in the state.

The Guardian

Contemplating my more mature 41 years, I privately worried at the prospect of travelling among twenty-somethings headed for full-moon parties.

The Guardian - Travel

So, according to Grant, Britain should be upping its input rather than contemplating disengagement.

The Guardian

The Lib Dems will spend the night contemplating the bizarre prospect of having been simultaneously wiped out – and looking forward to a return to government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Actors know only too well that days spent contemplating the job centre and the increasing pile of unpaid bills is too dismal a business to reclassify with such an arch description.

The Guardian

Contemplating denial, Freud talked about "minimisation", in which a fact is admitted but its seriousness denied, and "projection", in which repressed thoughts are attributed to someone else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had to have a physical fight with my daughter over the iPad, but my strength eventually won and she sat in horrified silence, contemplating the thought of listening to me talking for three days.

The Guardian - Travel

Diego Maradona, his World Cup career over, sat quietly away from the hubbub, no doubt contemplating the contrast between last night's denouement and his joyous moment four years earlier when he had inspired a rather better Argentinian team to victory over the Germans in a far superior game of football.

The Guardian - Sport

She worries about the impact of recent history on young women contemplating public life.

The Guardian

And the ending - well, there isn't really an ending; instead of a definite closure, the reader is left with a sense of a vague and gloomy continuum, as the protagonist Moses Aloetta stands before the Thames contemplating his future, staring into the signature London fog that is the novel's dominant motif.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contemplating" when you want to convey a sense of deep or prolonged thought. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid substituting "contemplating" with overly simplistic synonyms like "thinking" when the context requires a more profound or reflective tone. "Contemplating" suggests a depth of thought that "thinking" may not capture.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contemplating" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form. It typically functions as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is contemplating") or as a noun (gerund) indicating the act of thinking deeply. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "contemplating" is a versatile verb form indicating deep and prolonged thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in "News & Media". While synonyms like "pondering" and "considering" exist, "contemplating" carries a tone of profound reflection. Remember, avoid misuse by oversimplifying it with common synonyms when a deeper tone is needed. Its frequent use in reputable sources underscores its reliability and validity in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pondering

Focuses more on weighing different options or possibilities.

considering

Implies a more deliberate and often practical assessment.

reflecting on

Emphasizes looking back and thinking deeply about past events.

thinking about

A more general term for having something in mind.

mulling over

Suggests a slow and thoughtful process of consideration.

meditating on

Implies a deeper, more spiritual form of reflection.

deliberating

Highlights the careful and thorough nature of the thought process.

examining

Focuses on detailed and critical inspection.

analyzing

Suggests breaking down a topic into smaller parts for careful thought.

assessing

Implies evaluating the value or importance of something.

FAQs

How to use "contemplating" in a sentence?

You can use "contemplating" to describe someone deeply considering a situation, idea, or future action. For instance, "She was "contemplating her future" after graduation."

What can I say instead of "contemplating"?

You can use alternatives like "pondering", "considering", or "reflecting on" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "contemplating" and "considering"?

"Contemplating" suggests a more profound and prolonged thought process, while "considering" often implies a more practical evaluation of options.

Is "contemplating about" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "contemplating" doesn't require "about". You can say "contemplating the problem" rather than "contemplating about the problem".