was not contemplated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not contemplated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not considered or thought about in a particular context or situation. Example: "The possibility of a pandemic was not contemplated in the original plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Potentially losing to Ireland was not contemplated.

The Guardian - Sport

It was not contemplated for any length of time.

The New Yorker

Both sides said the discussions were cordial, but Mr. Liebler said it was not contemplated that they would be revived.

The New York Times

Ms. Sheeran said the withdrawal of World Food Program staff members from the country was "not contemplated".

The New York Times

It claims that the admission of China to the WTO at the beginning of 2002 was not contemplated at the time.

The Economist

The truth is that the cognizance of suits and actions unknown to the law, and forbidden by the law, was not contemplated by the constitution when establishing the judicial power of the United States.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Arabella was not contemplating running away forever.

The New Yorker

For now, News Corporation was not contemplating defeat.

The Guardian

Minutes before the meeting, Bush had told reporters that he was not contemplating an armed response.

The New Yorker

In March, he had the evaluation that determined he was not contemplating violence.

The Washington Post

A statement from his office said New Zealand was not contemplating any separate discussion with Nauru.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not contemplated" to express that a specific outcome, event, or possibility was not initially considered or planned for. This phrase adds a formal tone and is often used in legal, academic, or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was not contemplated" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "wasn't considered" or "didn't think about" are more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not contemplated" functions as a passive construction indicating that a particular idea, event, or possibility was not considered or thought about. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used to describe situations that were unforeseen or unpredicted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

31%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not contemplated" is a formal way to express that something was not considered or thought about beforehand. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. While the expression is deemed correct, it's best to reserve it for formal settings, opting for simpler alternatives in casual conversations. The related phrases and writing guidance provided offer practical tips for using this phrase effectively and avoiding common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not considered

Replaces "contemplated" with a more general term for thinking about something.

was not anticipated

Focuses on the lack of expectation or prediction.

was not foreseen

Highlights the inability to see or predict something in advance.

was not expected

Emphasizes the absence of an expectation for something to occur.

was not imagined

Indicates that something was beyond the realm of imagination or possibility.

was not envisioned

Stresses a lack of visual or mental picture of something.

was not planned

Highlights the absence of any planning or preparation for something.

was not taken into account

Focuses on the omission of something from consideration or calculation.

did not cross one's mind

Indicates a complete lack of thought or awareness about something.

was not on the radar

Implies that something was completely overlooked or ignored.

FAQs

How can I use "was not contemplated" in a sentence?

You can use "was not contemplated" to indicate that something was not considered or thought about beforehand. For example, "The possibility of a merger "was not contemplated" during the initial negotiations."

What's a simpler way to say "was not contemplated"?

Alternatives to "was not contemplated" include "was not considered", "was not expected", or "was not anticipated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "was not contemplated" and "was not expected"?

"Was not contemplated" implies that something was not thought about or considered at all, while "was not expected" suggests that something was thought about, but not predicted to happen. The subtle difference lies in the level of consideration given.

Is it appropriate to use "was not contemplated" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "was not contemplated" is more formal and less common in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "didn't think about" or "wasn't considered" are generally preferred for informal settings.