was contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was contemplated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was thought about or considered in the past. Example: "The proposal for the new project was contemplated during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The stipulation shows that when it was made another rate reduction was contemplated.

Cornell University

The winding up of the business was contemplated and entered upon.

Cornell University

At the committee's March meeting, a similar move was contemplated but rejected.

The New York Times

But the People's Party quickly declared that no such action was contemplated.

The New York Times

It remains unclear whether a default was contemplated seriously or merely floated as a means of pressuring Athens.

The New York Times

In April, Secretary Finch had stated that no change in the federal guidelines for integration was contemplated.

The New Yorker

The instructions to the committees made clear that only a revision, not a new translation, was contemplated.

Britannica

"This is exactly the kind of vehicle that was contemplated when the money was put in the bill".

The New York Times

A certain plant configuration was contemplated, equipped with an external steam reformer, an afterburner, a mixer and two heat exchangers (preheaters).

Journal of Power Sources

A "strip-mining" operation was contemplated in which the coal would be taken from pits on the surface of the ground, instead of from underground mine shafts.

Harvard University

In February and October 1913, military action against Serbia was contemplated, but in both instances neither Italy nor Germany was willing to guarantee support.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was contemplated" to indicate that something was considered as a possibility or planned in the past. Ensure the context clearly shows who was doing the contemplating.

Common error

Avoid using "was contemplated" without a clear subject or context. Ensure it's evident who considered the action and why. For instance, instead of just saying 'The merger was contemplated', specify 'The board of directors contemplated the merger'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contemplated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the action of being considered or thought about. It's often used to express that an idea, plan, or action was under consideration, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was contemplated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction indicating that something was considered or planned. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure clarity by specifying the entity doing the contemplating to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "was considered" or "was envisioned" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively incorporate "was contemplated" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was considered

Replaces "contemplated" with a more common synonym, focusing on the act of thinking about something.

was envisioned

Implies a more imaginative or forward-looking consideration than "contemplated".

was planned

Focuses on the aspect of having a concrete plan or intention.

was intended

Emphasizes the purpose or aim behind the consideration.

was under consideration

Highlights the ongoing nature of the thought process, suggesting it's still being actively assessed.

was being discussed

Shifts the focus to a group deliberation rather than individual thought.

was on the table

Informal way to say something was presented for consideration.

was in the works

Suggests active development or preparation, implying more than just contemplation.

was a possibility

Emphasizes the potential or likelihood of something happening.

had been thought of

Highlights the act of initial conception or idea generation.

FAQs

How can I use "was contemplated" in a sentence?

Use "was contemplated" to indicate that something was considered or planned. For example, "The possibility of a merger "was contemplated" by the board."

What's a more common alternative to "was contemplated"?

A more common alternative is "was considered". Both phrases indicate that something was thought about, but "was considered" is generally more widely used.

Is it always necessary to specify who did the contemplating when using "was contemplated"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who did the contemplating enhances clarity. For example, "A new strategy "was contemplated"" is less clear than "The team "was contemplated" a new strategy".

What's the difference between "was contemplated" and "was intended"?

"Was contemplated" suggests something was considered as a possibility, while "was intended" indicates a definite purpose or plan. "The trip "was contemplated"" means it was considered; "The trip "was intended"" means it was planned.