had contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had contemplated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone thought about or considered something in the past, often before making a decision. Example: "She had contemplated moving to a new city for months before finally making the leap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Several said that they had contemplated suicide.

The New York Times

He had contemplated a run for president in 2008.

The New York Times

More than once, I had contemplated whipping up a batch.

The New York Times

But she acknowledged that some residents had contemplated moving because of the potential traffic and noise.

The New York Times - Sports

I later asked Adam if he had contemplated making the robots more autonomous.

The New Yorker

Coty had contemplated going public two years ago but held off because of volatile market conditions.

The New York Times

Paul Nicholls, his trainer, had contemplated the idea earlier in the season.

Independent

Sil Willcox the band's manager did say they had contemplated recording a charity song… Quick!

Independent

When Thoronka spoke to the Guardian, he said he had contemplated suicide.

The Guardian

Asked directly whether the company had contemplated bankruptcy, Mr. English said yes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not something Richard Hoggart would ever have contemplated.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had contemplated" to express a deliberate and thoughtful consideration of something in the past, especially when the decision-making process involved multiple factors or potential outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "had contemplated" when a simpler phrase like "had thought about" or "had considered" would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for situations where deeper reflection is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had contemplated" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of considering or thinking deeply about something that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had contemplated" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed past perfect verb phrase used to convey thoughtful consideration of something prior to a specific moment in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds its home primarily in news, media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries, suggesting a generally neutral to formal register. While alternatives such as "had considered" or "had thought about" exist, they often lack the depth of reflection implied by "had contemplated". When writing, reserve it to situations where a deliberate thought process is a key element you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had considered

Uses 'considered' instead of 'contemplated', implying a less in-depth thought process.

had thought about

Replaces 'contemplated' with 'thought about', suggesting a more casual level of consideration.

had entertained the idea of

Adds 'entertained the idea of', suggesting the consideration was possibly enjoyable or intriguing.

had weighed up

Employs 'weighed up', implying a more balanced and analytical consideration of different aspects.

had pondered

Substitutes 'contemplated' with 'pondered', indicating a deeper, more reflective consideration.

had envisioned

Replaces 'contemplated' with 'envisioned', focusing on a mental image of a future possibility.

had planned on

Uses 'planned on', suggesting a stronger inclination toward action than mere contemplation.

had intended to

Implies a definite intention that may or may not have been acted upon.

had once considered

Emphasizes that the consideration occurred at a specific point in the past and may no longer be relevant.

had felt inclined to

Highlights the feeling of inclination rather than the active process of consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "had contemplated" to describe a situation where someone seriously considered a particular course of action in the past. For example, "She "had contemplated moving" to a new city for years before finally deciding to do it."

What are some alternatives to "had contemplated"?

You can use alternatives like "had considered", "had thought about", or "had weighed up" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "has contemplated" instead of "had contemplated"?

The choice between "has contemplated" and "had contemplated" depends on the time frame you're referencing. "Has contemplated" is used for actions that have relevance to the present, while "had contemplated" refers to actions completed in the past with no present connection.

What's the difference between "had contemplated" and "had considered"?

"Had contemplated" suggests a deeper, more prolonged reflection than "had considered". Contemplation implies carefully thinking something through, while consideration can be a more casual assessment.