i have been considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have been considering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which you are reflecting on available options or possibilities over a period of time. For example: "I have been considering different career options, but I'm not sure what path to take yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Recently, I have been considering the four-way stop.

The New York Times

The Mike Leigh marathon has been going on for weeks: I have been considering his women.

The Guardian - Film

It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.

The Guardian - Sport

I have been considering the question: "Why should anybody follow you?" It is a valid question indeed.

The Economist

Apart from summer programs, I have been considering short courses in Spanish and application development at institutes in Delhi.

The New York Times

I have been considering raising some of the value tied up in my home through an equity release scheme, but I need some advice.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"I know I have been considered to be very, very radical [but] on almost every issue that I'm talking about – and this is what the media does not appreciate – there is a vast amount of support among people".

The Guardian

In general, I think that I have been considered a "safe" black person/woman/black woman, minus attending those Black Power rallies (you better know I am kidding).

Huffington Post

"I've been considering [retirement] super hard.

The Guardian - Sport

But I've been considering a nice watch.

The New York Times

Rick Santorum: I've been considering a slick little number: 666.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i have been considering" when you want to convey that you've been giving something thoughtful attention over a period of time, but haven't yet reached a decision. For example, "I have been considering your proposal carefully."

Common error

Avoid using the simple present tense ("I consider") when you need to express an ongoing process of thinking. Using "i consider" suggests a habitual or general truth, whereas "i have been considering" indicates a process that started in the past and continues to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i have been considering" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing mental process. It signifies that the speaker has been engaged in thoughtful evaluation or contemplation of something over a period of time, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i have been considering" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to convey ongoing deliberation or evaluation, with a neutral formality suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. While alternatives like "i have been contemplating" or "i have been thinking about" exist, "i have been considering" remains a versatile choice. Avoid using the simple present tense when expressing ongoing contemplation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i have been contemplating

This alternative replaces "considering" with "contemplating", suggesting a more thoughtful and prolonged reflection.

i have been pondering

Similar to contemplating, "pondering" suggests deep and serious thought.

i have been thinking about

This is a more general and informal way to express that you have been giving something thought.

i have been weighing up

This phrase suggests a careful evaluation of different options or aspects of something.

i have been giving thought to

This is a more formal way of saying "i have been thinking about".

i have been mulling over

This implies a slow and deliberate process of thinking about something, often over a considerable time.

i have been evaluating

Similar to assessing, this highlights the process of judging the value or quality of something.

i have been assessing

This alternative emphasizes the evaluation aspect of considering something.

i have been reviewing

This suggests a systematic assessment or examination of something.

i have been exploring

This suggests investigating different facets or possibilities related to something.

FAQs

How can I use "i have been considering" in a sentence?

Use "i have been considering" to indicate that you have been thoughtfully evaluating something over a period. For example, "I have been considering your offer and will make a decision soon."

What can I say instead of "i have been considering"?

You can use alternatives like "i have been contemplating", "i have been thinking about", or "i have been weighing up" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "i have considered" the same as "i have been considering"?

No, "i have considered" implies that you've already finished thinking about something, while "i have been considering" indicates an ongoing process of evaluation.

What is the correct tense: "i consider", "i am considering", or "i have been considering"?

The most appropriate tense depends on the context. "I consider" expresses a general opinion or habitual action. "I am considering" indicates you're currently in the process of thinking about something. "I have been considering" suggests a process that started in the past and is ongoing up to the present.