have been contemplating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been contemplating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing thoughts or considerations that have been ongoing over a period of time. Example: "I have been contemplating the idea of starting my own business for several months now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Senior diplomats have been contemplating options for "what next".

The New York Times

Keane may have been contemplating the shock of the new.

The Guardian - Sport

The decision was cheered by states that have been contemplating gambling for the first time.

The New York Times

Administration officials have been contemplating sweeping pay reforms since early this year.

The New York Times

Administration officials have been contemplating broad-based pay reforms since early this year.

The New York Times

Manager Joe Girardi and his staff have been contemplating the move since Nova's latest poor outing in Toronto on Thursday.

The New York Times

To head off criticism, Schwab's top managers have been contemplating changes in their policies on executive compensation and stock ownership.

The New York Times

Many other academics would have been contemplating retirement, or, perhaps, the prospect of publishing their final works.

The Guardian - Money

Another youth was restrained eight times in three months despite signs that she might have been contemplating suicide.

The New Yorker

Other comedians following Louis C. K.'s online trail say that they have been contemplating Internet-only projects for several months.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It would have been madness, but in the past it would have been contemplated".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been contemplating" to describe a process of thinking or considering something over a period of time, especially when you want to emphasize the duration or ongoing nature of the thought.

Common error

Avoid using "have been contemplating" in very informal contexts; simpler phrases like "have been thinking about" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been contemplating" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action (contemplating) that began in the past and is still ongoing or has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been contemplating" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of thinking or considering something. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally neutral in register, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings. When choosing between "have been contemplating" and similar phrases, consider the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey about the thought process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been considering

Replaces "contemplating" with "considering", indicating a slightly less formal deliberation.

have been pondering

Substitutes "contemplating" with "pondering", suggesting a deeper, more reflective thought process.

have been thinking about

Uses a more common and general term, "thinking about", instead of "contemplating".

have been reflecting on

Emphasizes the reflective aspect of thinking, implying a careful examination of something.

have been giving thought to

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the act of giving consideration to something.

have been mulling over

Replaces "contemplating" with the idiomatic "mulling over", suggesting a slow and deliberate thought process.

have been weighing up

Indicates a careful assessment of different options or aspects of something.

have been deliberating

Suggests a formal and careful discussion or consideration, often involving others.

have been examining

Implies a detailed and careful investigation or analysis of something.

have been assessing

Focuses on the evaluation and judgment aspect of thinking about something.

FAQs

How to use "have been contemplating" in a sentence?

You can use "have been contemplating" to describe a prolonged period of thought. For example: "I "have been contemplating" a career change for several months now."

What can I say instead of "have been contemplating"?

You can use alternatives like "have been considering", "have been thinking about", or "have been pondering" depending on the context.

Is "have been contemplating" formal or informal?

"Have been contemplating" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. In very informal situations, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

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

While both phrases indicate thought, ""have been contemplating"" often implies a deeper, more reflective consideration, whereas "have been considering" is a more general term for thinking about something.