was considering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was considering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was thinking about or contemplating something in the past. Example: "She was considering a career change after several years in her current job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Meanwhile, she was considering him.

The New Yorker

I was considering that.

The Guardian

He said he was considering it.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he was considering an appeal.

Independent

She was considering becoming a freelance writer.

The New York Times - Food

I was considering what I wanted".

The New Yorker

He was considering studying art history.

The New Yorker

She was considering riding it all day.

The New York Times

He said he was considering re-enlisting.

The New York Times

One asked if I was considering abortion.

The New York Times

She was considering Auburn in Alabama.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was considering" to express a past intention or plan that wasn't necessarily acted upon. It's useful for conveying uncertainty or a decision-making process that occurred in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "was considering" when you mean to say someone is currently considering something. Use "is considering" for present actions and "will be considering" for future actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was considering" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of contemplation or deliberation in the past. It signifies that a subject was in the process of thinking about a particular action or decision, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was considering" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a past state of contemplation or deliberation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various forms of communication, and it is particularly common in news and media. When using this phrase, remember to maintain consistency in tense and avoid the common error of using an infinitive after "considering". Alternative phrases like "thought about" or "contemplated" can offer subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought about

A simpler, more direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

was giving thought to

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing the act of thinking.

contemplated

A more formal and concise way of saying someone "was considering" something, implying a deeper level of thought.

deliberated on

A more formal alternative, implying a thorough and careful discussion or thought process.

weighed up

Indicates a careful balancing of pros and cons.

had in mind

Focuses on the intention or plan that was being considered.

entertained the idea of

Implies a less serious consideration, suggesting the idea was merely explored.

pondered over

Similar to 'mused over', suggesting a deep and reflective consideration.

mused over

Suggests a thoughtful, often leisurely, consideration.

toyed with the idea of

Implies a casual or playful consideration, without a firm commitment.

FAQs

How do you use "was considering" in a sentence?

Use "was considering" to indicate that someone was thinking about doing something in the past. For example, "She "was considering a career change" but decided against it."

What's the difference between "was considering" and "is considering"?

"Was considering" refers to a past action of thinking about something, while "is considering" refers to a present action. "He "was considering moving" last year, but now he "is considering renovating"."

What can I say instead of "was considering"?

You can use alternatives like "thought about", "contemplated", or "entertained the idea of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I was considering to go" or "I was considering going"?

The correct form is "I "was considering going"". The verb "consider" is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), not an infinitive.