he was considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was considering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone thinking about a particular idea or course of action. Example sentence: He was considering whether or not to take on the difficult project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he was considering it.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he was considering an appeal.

Independent

He was considering studying art history.

The New Yorker

He said he was considering re-enlisting.

The New York Times

He was considering buying the plane.

The New York Times

D'Antoni said he was considering starting Robinson at point guard.

The New York Times - Sports

The child stopped where he was, considering the truck.

The New Yorker

He said he was considering Victory Red despite Woods's transgressions.

The New York Times - Sports

Yékini, 38, would later say that he was considering retirement.

The New York Times - Sports

Tells about an accordion book he was considering.

The New Yorker

He said he was considering calling her back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was considering" to introduce potential future actions or decisions without committing to them. For example, "He was considering applying for the job, but wasn't sure if he had enough experience."

Common error

While "he was considering" is versatile, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Replace it with stronger verbs like "assessed", "evaluated", or "contemplated" for more impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was considering" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of contemplation or evaluation. Ludwig examples show it used to express thoughts about future actions, possibilities, or decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sports

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was considering" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that someone was contemplating a particular action or idea. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, reflecting its use in reporting potential decisions or actions. When writing, be mindful to use the gerund form of the verb after "considering" and to vary your vocabulary in formal contexts by using alternatives such as "contemplated" or "weighed". The Ludwig examples provide a wide range of scenarios where this phrase can be effectively employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he contemplated

Uses a single verb to replace the phrase, emphasizing the act of deep thought.

he was thinking about

A more informal way to express the act of considering.

he entertained the idea of

Highlights the acceptance of an idea into one's thoughts for evaluation.

he was giving thought to

Highlights the act of allocating mental energy to a particular issue.

he weighed up

Implies a balancing of pros and cons before making a decision.

he deliberated about

Implies a careful and thorough discussion in one's mind.

he pondered over

Suggests a more thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

he reflected on

Emphasizes a retrospective and thoughtful consideration.

he had in mind

Focuses on having a particular plan or intention in one's thoughts.

he assessed the possibility of

Indicates an evaluation of the likelihood of something happening.

FAQs

How can I use "he was considering" in a sentence?

Use "he was considering" to indicate that someone was thinking about a particular action or decision. For instance, "He was considering "accepting the offer" but needed more time to decide."

What's the difference between "he was considering" and "he considered"?

"He was considering" indicates a continuous action in the past, suggesting an ongoing thought process. "He considered" implies a completed action, meaning he thought about it at a specific point in the past.

What can I say instead of "he was considering"?

Alternatives include "he contemplated", "he weighed up", or "he thought about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "he was considering to" grammatically correct?

No, the correct usage is "he was considering + gerund (-ing form of the verb)". For example, "He was considering "moving abroad"" is correct; "He was considering to move abroad" is incorrect.