What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contemplating
Example
She spent hours contemplating the meaning of life. [contemplating: verb]
Example
Contemplating the consequences of his actions, he decided to change his behavior. [contemplating: present participle]
pondering
Example
He was pondering the best way to approach the project. [pondering: verb]
Example
Pondering the meaning of the poem, she read it again and again. [pondering: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pondering is more commonly used than contemplating in everyday language. Pondering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while contemplating is less common and may be associated with more formal or specialized language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between contemplating and pondering?
While contemplating is typically associated with a more formal or specialized tone, pondering is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
