had been contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been contemplated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was considered or thought about in the past, often before a certain point in time. Example: "The idea of expanding the business had been contemplated for several months before the final decision was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He added, "This had been contemplated from the start, from the very beginning, but that is effective today".

The New York Times

It had been contemplated that a Conservative would be the first to occupy the presidency in 1958.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Chen said he would allow outsiders to own 100percentt of local companies by June rather than by the end of the year as had been contemplated.

The New York Times

He said there would be no cuts to the force structure of the services, as had been contemplated before Sept. 11.

The New York Times

The company said that only four of those stores would be full-line Sears stores and that the closings had been contemplated well before December.

The New York Times

Held, by the Court of Error, that the guarantee did not necessarily imply a past advance; and that the plaintiffs, on a trial, might have offered evidence to shew that future advances had been contemplated.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Francona had been contemplating a change anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

As it happened, Livni had been contemplating that idea herself.

The New Yorker

I had been contemplating taking action for some while.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 60-year-old Brown had been contemplating retirement.

The New York Times - Sports

Over he past two or three years, China's central government had been contemplating revising its ambient air-quality standards.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been contemplated" to indicate that an idea or plan was considered in the past but may or may not have been implemented. It adds a sense of formality and thoughtfulness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had been contemplated" when you mean something is currently being considered. The past perfect tense indicates a completed action in the past. Instead, use "is being contemplated" for present considerations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been contemplated" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action (contemplation) was completed before a specific point in the past, and the subject of the sentence was the recipient of that action. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been contemplated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used past perfect passive construction. It effectively communicates that something was considered or planned prior to a specific time in the past. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, frequently appearing in news, academic, and wiki sources. When writing, ensure you use this phrase to denote actions completed in the past relative to another past event, avoiding its use for current considerations. Consider alternatives like "had been considered" or "had been planned" to adjust the tone or emphasize different aspects of the consideration. By understanding its function and usage, you can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been considered

Replaces "contemplated" with a more common synonym, reducing formality slightly.

had been envisioned

Emphasizes the mental image or concept of something that was planned.

had been planned

Focuses on the planning aspect, suggesting concrete steps were taken.

had been intended

Highlights the purpose or aim behind something that was considered.

was under consideration

Changes the tense and voice, focusing on the ongoing process of considering.

was being contemplated

Uses the continuous form to emphasize the ongoing nature of the consideration.

had been thought about

Uses a simpler and more informal expression for 'contemplated'.

was in the cards

Suggests that something was likely or destined to happen.

had been on the table

Implies that something was formally proposed or discussed.

had been in the works

Suggests that something was in the process of being developed or prepared.

FAQs

How can I use "had been contemplated" in a sentence?

Use "had been contemplated" to indicate that something was considered in the past. For example, "The merger "had been contemplated" for years before it finally happened."

What are some alternatives to "had been contemplated"?

Alternatives include "had been considered", "had been planned", or "had been envisioned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was contemplated" instead of "had been contemplated"?

While "was contemplated" can be grammatically correct, it implies a simpler past action. "Had been contemplated" suggests the consideration occurred before another point in the past, providing a more nuanced sense of timing. For example, "The project was contemplated last year" versus "The project "had been contemplated" for several years before funding was secured".

What is the difference between "had been contemplated" and "was being contemplated"?

"Had been contemplated" indicates a completed action in the past, whereas "was being contemplated" suggests an ongoing process in the past. The former emphasizes a finalized consideration, while the latter highlights a process that was underway.