will mull over

USAGE SUMMARY

"will mull over" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of thinking carefully or considering something. Example: "I will mull over your proposal before making a decision." Alternative expressions include "will contemplate" and "will consider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The referee will mull over his request over the next half-hour or so.

The Guardian - Sport

The Liverpool midfielder, 34, will mull over whether to announce his international retirement after Roy Hodgson's side crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage.

Independent

The Sunday shows will mull over a number of issues in headlines this week, particularly guns, female service members and President Obama's cabinet nominees.

The New York Times

But the campaign is not over, and we will mull over the decision to see if it can be independently challenged.

The Guardian

Hill knows from experience, though, that Ecclestone cannot be rushed on such matters and he will mull over the situation in his own time.

The Guardian - Sport

The Briton is not anticipating having a new coach in place for Roland Garros and will mull over whether to go for another high-profile former player or a more technical coach.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

If I'm honest, generally not a lot – sometimes I'll mull over a decision but usually I leave that for the daytime.

The Guardian

We've some very good players and, of course, where we start to find a way forward is something we'll mull over the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, I'll mull over what I've encountered: the head-spinning showcase of art by Latin American women; the textured surveys of work by generations of Chicano/Chicana/Chicanx artists-activists; exhibitions demonstrating known and unsuspected intersections of Latin America and the greater globe.

The New York Times - Arts

But it's one that I will continue to mull over in the days before the next iPhone goes on sale.

The New York Times

I'll just leave you to mull over the perfectly succinct recap from the mouth of Jennifer Herrema, "They were awesome.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase works effectively in professional settings to signal that you are taking a proposal seriously without committing immediately.

Common error

Do not add "about" after "will mull over". The preposition "over" already handles the relationship between the verb and the object. Saying "will mull over about the decision" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will mull over" acts as a future tense phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it functions to indicate an upcoming period of deliberation. The addition of the particle "over" to the base verb "mull" creates a transitive phrasal verb that requires an object, such as a decision or a plan.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academic

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "will mull over" is a versatile and correct phrasal verb phrase used to describe the act of future contemplation. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a Common expression in authoritative media, serving as a more descriptive alternative to "<a href="/s/will+think+about" target="_blank" rel="alternative">will think about". It effectively balances professional weight with linguistic accessibility. Writers should feel confident using it to convey a sense of thoroughness and careful decision-making in both business and journalistic contexts, provided they avoid the redundant use of "about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will consider

More direct and slightly more formal, emphasizing the act of evaluation.

will think over

A common, slightly less formal phrasal verb that is almost perfectly interchangeable.

will contemplate

Suggests a deeper, more spiritual or philosophical level of reflection.

will ponder

Connotes a slower, perhaps more curious or wandering style of thinking.

will weigh up

Implies a comparison of pros and cons during the decision-making process.

will reflect on

Focuses more on looking back at past information or experiences.

will deliberate

Highly formal, often used in legal or professional group contexts.

will chew over

More informal and metaphorical, suggesting a repetitive or thorough analysis.

will ruminate on

Often used for obsessive or long-term thinking, sometimes with a negative connotation.

will sleep on

An idiomatic way to indicate that a decision will be made after a night of rest.

FAQs

How to use "will mull over" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe future contemplation, for example: "The committee will mull over the new policy before the next meeting."

What can I say instead of "will mull over"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "<a href="/s/will+consider" target="_blank" rel="alternative">will consider", "<a href="/s/will+think+over" target="_blank" rel="alternative">will think over", or "<a href="/s/will+ponder" target="_blank" rel="alternative">will ponder".

Is "will mull over" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in neutral and formal registers like journalism and business reports, though "<a href="/s/will+deliberate" target="_blank" rel="alternative">will deliberate" is more common in strictly legal contexts.

What is the difference between "will mull over" and "will think about"?

While "<a href="/s/will+think+about" target="_blank" rel="alternative">will think about" is general, "will mull over" implies a more thorough, slow, and careful process of evaluation.