merely considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely considering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are only thinking about something without taking any further action or making a decision. Example: "I am merely considering the options before making a final choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Officially, O'Malley is still merely considering a bid.

The New Yorker

In order to overcome such problem, most of existing methods are developed merely considering single system or building.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Merely considering a priceless collection as an "asset" — and encouraging the public to do so — is pernicious and predatory.

The New York Times - Arts

Cruz steadfastly insisted he was not yet a presidential candidate and said he was merely considering it.

The Guardian

All observations indicate that merely considering the electrolyte temperature upon studying the influence of temperature on the process is not sufficient; the electrode temperature is much more determining.

Electrochimica Acta

The results indicate that providing suitable cathode airflow velocity is more important than merely considering the airflow rate in the DMFC single or 3-cell DMFC module.

Renewable Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He was, at best, merely considered to be 'insane'insane

The Guardian - Music

Columns with external and internal circular carbon steel tubes are merely considered.

Thin-Walled Structures

Mr. Esteves subsequently said he had merely considered buying a minority stake in UBS.

The New York Times

"Employers still think it is enough, under law, to say that they have merely considered women," she said.

The Guardian

But in the Senate bill, the Federal Trade Commission must merely consider setting up a registry, and the F.T.C. has suggested it does not want to.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely considering" to accurately convey that an idea or option is being thought about but no action has been taken yet. Avoid using it if a decision or action has already occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "merely considering" when you actually mean that a thorough evaluation or in-depth analysis has been conducted. This phrase suggests a lighter, more preliminary level of thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely considering" functions as a present participial phrase, often used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating an action that is ongoing or a state of being. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this indicates a situation where something is only being thought about, not acted upon.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "merely considering" is a common expression used to describe a state of preliminary thought or evaluation without any concrete action or decision being made. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. The key is to use it when you want to emphasize the tentative nature of the consideration. Be mindful not to use it when a decision has already been made or a thorough analysis has been conducted. Alternatives like "simply contemplating" or "just thinking about" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply contemplating

Replaces "considering" with "contemplating" emphasizing thoughtful consideration but keeping the 'simply' modifier.

just thinking about

Emphasizes the act of thinking without commitment or further action, using more informal language.

only evaluating

Focuses on the assessment aspect of "considering", implying a structured evaluation but still preliminary.

barely giving thought to

Indicates minimal consideration, almost dismissive, adding a nuance of insufficient attention.

tentatively assessing

Highlights the uncertainty and initial stage of the assessment process.

preliminarily weighing

Emphasizes the initial stage of balancing different factors or options.

casually pondering

Suggests a relaxed and informal manner of thinking about something.

fleetingly examining

Implies a brief and superficial look at something.

theoretically analyzing

Focuses on the analytical aspect and suggests a detachment from practical application.

not yet deciding

Explicitly states the absence of a decision, focusing on the state of indecision.

FAQs

How to use "merely considering" in a sentence?

Use "merely considering" to indicate that something is only being thought about or evaluated without a firm decision or action. For example: "The company is "merely considering" the possibility of expanding into new markets."

What can I say instead of "merely considering"?

You can use alternatives like "simply contemplating", "just thinking about", or "only evaluating" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "merely considering" or "actually considering"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Merely considering" indicates a preliminary stage of thought, while "actually considering" suggests a more serious evaluation.

What's the difference between "merely considering" and "seriously considering"?

"Merely considering" implies a casual or preliminary thought, whereas "seriously considering" suggests a deeper and more committed evaluation.