contemplate

contemplate — verb

1. to think about something in a serious, quiet way without rushing, especially whe

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to think about something in a serious, quiet way without rushing, especially when a difficult decision lies ahead — for instance, weighing the pros and cons of changing jobs or of ending a long relationship.

例句

Rafael spent the whole weekend contemplating whether to accept the job offer in Tokyo.

contemplate + whether + to-infinitive

Amani sat by the window, contemplating the poem she had just finished.

同義詞
  • ponder

    suggests slow, careful thought, often about philosophical or abstract matters; slightly more literary

  • meditate

    implies sustained inward reflection, sometimes with a spiritual or relaxation purpose

  • consider

    more neutral and less intense; the most common everyday alternative

反義詞
  • dismiss

    to stop thinking about something without giving it proper attention

  • ignore

    to deliberately avoid thinking about something

文法句型

contemplate + noun/gerund

contemplate + whether/if + clause

contemplate (no object)

用法筆記

More intense and longer-lasting than 'think' or 'consider'. The object is often a life decision (career change, relationship, financial choice) or an abstract topic (meaning of life, nature of truth). Frequently followed by a gerund or a wh-clause.

常見錯誤

❌I contemplated to move abroad.
✅I contemplated moving abroad.
💡After 'contemplate', use a gerund (-ing form), not a to-infinitive.

2. to think about something as something that could genuinely happen, or to accept

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to think about something as something that could genuinely happen, or to accept that it might be necessary — for example, a company contemplating lay-offs or a family contemplating a move overseas.

例句

The company is contemplating a merger with a smaller European competitor.

contemplate + noun (merger)

Building a new hospital wing was contemplated but the government could not fund it.

passive: was contemplated

同義詞
  • consider

    more common and less formal; 'contemplate' implies more careful thought about the possibility

  • entertain

    less committed — to entertain an idea is to let yourself think about it without necessarily deciding

  • envisage

    focuses on picturing the scenario in your mind; 'contemplate' adds the element of thoughtful evaluation

反義詞
  • reject

    to refuse to accept a possibility outright

  • dismiss

    to push a possibility aside without serious thought

文法句型

contemplate + noun (action/event)

be contemplated + as + noun

contemplate + gerund

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person, a group (committee, board, family), or an organization. Often used in formal or business English. The passive form ('X was contemplated') is common when emphasizing the plan rather than who considered it.

常見錯誤

❌He is contemplating to retire early.
✅He is contemplating retiring early.
💡Like sense 1, this sense takes a gerund, not a to-infinitive.

3. to look at someone or something steadily and at length in a quiet, concentrated

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to look at someone or something steadily and at length in a quiet, concentrated way, letting your mind fill with what you see — for instance, standing at a cliff edge and taking in the landscape below.

例句

Minh stood at the edge of the canyon, quietly contemplating the view below.

contemplate + view/landscape

Eliska contemplated her reflection in the still water of the lake for a long time.

同義詞
  • gaze

    to look steadily at something, often with wonder or admiration; does not necessarily imply deep thinking

  • study

    to look at something closely in order to understand it; more active and analytical

  • observe

    to watch carefully, often to gather information; less emotional or reflective than 'contemplate'

反義詞
  • glimpse

    to see something very briefly, the opposite of a long, careful look

  • ignore

    to deliberately not look at something

文法句型

contemplate + noun (view/scene/person)

用法筆記

Primarily used in descriptive or literary contexts. The object is typically a visually interesting scene, artwork, object, or person. Unlike 'look at' or 'watch', this sense implies that the looking is slow and accompanied by inner reflection.

常見錯誤

❌I contemplated at the painting for a few seconds.
✅I contemplated the painting for a few minutes.
💡This sense is transitive: the object of looking comes directly after the verb, without a preposition.