start contemplating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start contemplating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to begin thinking deeply or seriously about a particular subject or issue. Example: "Before making a decision, it's important to start contemplating the potential consequences of your actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I'm not going to start contemplating what I'm going to do for another couple of weeks".

The New York Times - Sports

Only then should we start contemplating a more sensible alternative to the old left.

The Guardian

With Donald Trump as the Republican party's presumptive nominee, it's time for him to start contemplating a running mate.

The Guardian

Only yesterday Owen Jones wrote on these pages that those on the left should start contemplating what he called "Lexit".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Better to face reality now and start contemplating alternative strategies like moving to a lower-cost area or working part time".

The New York Times

Washington and the chancelleries of Europe may soon have to start contemplating a policy of containing, rather than confronting a nuclear-capable Iran.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Mr. Zaslav started contemplating a partnership.

The New York Times

The networks quickly criticized the feature and started contemplating ways to stop it.

The New York Times

(I hadn't even started contemplating the work of mailing the cards to the buyers).

The New York Times - Tech

For now, however, Welbeck is instead focusing on getting back to playing for Arsenal before he starts contemplating another major international competition.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Bennett said that he had started contemplating the sets' construction in September but did not break ground, so to speak, until November.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start contemplating" to introduce a shift towards deeper, more prolonged consideration of a topic. This emphasizes the beginning of a thought process rather than a quick decision.

Common error

Don't use "start contemplating" when a simple 'think about' or 'consider' suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start contemplating" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of a thoughtful consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It highlights the initiation of a process of deep thinking or reflection on a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start contemplating" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the beginning of a thoughtful consideration process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and professional settings. While it conveys a more deliberate initiation of thought compared to simpler alternatives like "think about", it's important to avoid overusing it to maintain clarity and conciseness in writing. Related phrases include "begin considering" and "commence thinking about". Understanding its nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin considering

Replaces 'contemplating' with 'considering', a more general term for thinking about something.

commence thinking about

Uses 'commence' for a more formal tone and specifies 'thinking about' directly.

initiate reflection on

Emphasizes a more profound and thoughtful consideration, using 'reflection'.

start thinking seriously about

Adds 'seriously' to emphasize the depth of thought.

start giving thought to

Rephrases the action as 'giving thought', which is a slightly more indirect way of expressing consideration.

begin to ponder

Uses 'ponder' to suggest a deeper level of thought than simply considering.

turn one's attention to

Shifts the focus to directing attention towards something, implying a deliberate consideration.

start mulling over

Uses 'mulling over' to suggest a more informal and prolonged period of thought.

start to consider

Simplifies the phrase to a more basic form of 'consider'.

start weighing up

Implies a process of evaluating different aspects before making a decision.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "start contemplating" in a sentence?

Use "start contemplating" to indicate the initiation of a deep thought process. For example, "After the meeting, I need to "start contemplating" our next steps".

What are some alternatives to "start contemplating" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "begin considering", "commence thinking about", or "initiate reflection on" depending on the context.

Is there a difference in formality between "start contemplating" and "begin thinking about"?

"Start contemplating" is slightly more formal than "begin thinking about". Contemplating implies a deeper, more considered thought process, while thinking about is more general.

When is it appropriate to use "start contemplating" versus a simpler phrase like "think about"?

Use "start contemplating" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and prolonged period of thought. If you just need to indicate a quick consideration, "think about" is sufficient.