he weighed up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he weighed up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone is considering or evaluating options or possibilities before making a decision. Example: "Before making a final choice, he weighed up the pros and cons of each option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

For seven or eight months, he weighed up the risks.

The Guardian

When Piotr, 60, was promised a job in a meat-processing factory in the UK, he weighed up his options.

The Guardian

On Friday he weighed up his future: "I've probably made a lot of mistakes but I want to be part of the solution.

The Guardian - Sport

Bridge drove himself to distraction as he weighed up the pros and cons of one of the toughest decisions of his life and, as he went through the process, he used the City dressing room as a sounding board.

The Guardian - Sport

I remember fondly the chess games I played with Dad as a child, and would find it strangely hypnotising as his fingers darted around the pieces on the board while he weighed up his next move.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Reports have emerged that Cahill is considering his future at Stamford Bridge after falling out-of-favour under interim manager Guus Hiddink, and the 30-year-old was said to feel he was at a crossroad in his career as he weighed up his future.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Cipriani, he argues, is wrestling with a different dilemma as he weighs up whether to re-sign for Sale or head overseas again.

The Guardian - Sport

Speaking to French radio station RMC, Mahrez admitted that he has already decided to stay with Leicester until the end of the season at least before he weighs up his options.

Independent

He was played in on goal by Traore and finished with a coolness that will have been reassuring for Mourinho as he weighs up the young striker's readiness to figure for the club this season.

Independent

He plays with an alluring capacity to buy himself time, as if he enjoys a metaphorical moment to stroke his new facial adornment while he weighs up what clever touch he intends to execute.

The Guardian - Sport

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to refuse any requests by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation to meet or communicate with him directly as he weighs up whether to hold up the company's controversial £8bn buyout of satellite broadcaster BSkyB.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he weighed up" when you want to convey a sense of careful consideration and assessment before a decision. It implies a deliberate evaluation of different factors.

Common error

Avoid using "he weighed up" in situations where a simpler term like "he considered" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he weighed up" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of careful consideration and assessment before making a decision. This aligns with Ludwig's AI assessment of the phrase being correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he weighed up" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate expression used to indicate careful consideration before making a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its frequency, while not very common, is still noticeable across various sources, particularly in news and media. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality required; if in doubt, consider the alternatives mentioned above. The authorative sources also confirm the proper usage of the phrase in a wide variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he considered

Replaces "weighed up" with a more general term for thinking about something.

he assessed

Focuses on evaluating the situation or options at hand.

he evaluated

Highlights the act of judging the value or worth of something.

he contemplated

Emphasizes deep thinking and reflection before making a decision.

he pondered

Suggests a more thoughtful and deliberate consideration.

he deliberated

Implies a careful and thorough discussion or consideration.

he reflected on

Focuses on thinking deeply about past experiences or options.

he gauged

Highlights the process of measuring or estimating something.

he scrutinized

Emphasizes a detailed and critical examination.

he took into account

Highlights the inclusion of various factors in the decision-making process.

FAQs

What does "he weighed up" mean?

The phrase "he weighed up" means that someone carefully considered different options or factors before making a decision or taking action. It implies a deliberate evaluation process.

How can I use "he weighed up" in a sentence?

You can use "he weighed up" to show that someone thought carefully about something. For example: "Before accepting the job offer, "he weighed up" the pros and cons."

What can I say instead of "he weighed up"?

You can use alternatives like "he considered", "he assessed", or "he evaluated" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "he weighed up" or "he considered"?

Both "he weighed up" and "he considered" are correct, but "he weighed up" suggests a more thorough and deliberate evaluation than "he considered". Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you want to convey.