Meaning & use
ponders
Last updated
“ponders” is a form of “ponder”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbtransitive or intransitive
Thinks about something carefully and for a long time, often before reaching a decision.
Grammar: Can take an object (ponders the offer) or stand alone (ponders for hours); often followed by over or on.
Patterns
- ponder something
- ponder over something
- ponder whether to do something
She ponders every job offer for days before replying.
He sits by the window and ponders what to do next.
The committee ponders over the proposal while the public waits.
Word forms
| base form | ponder |
|---|---|
| past tense | pondered |
| -ing form | pondering |
Common combinations
- ponders a question
- The manager ponders the question before answering.
- ponders the future
- He often ponders the future of the company.
- ponders deeply
- She ponders deeply whenever a choice affects her family.
- ponders over a decision
- Tom ponders over the decision all weekend.
- ponders the meaning
- The poem makes the reader ponder the meaning of home.
Synonyms and how they differ
- considers
- Considers is more everyday and can be quick; ponders suggests slow, serious thought.
- reflects
- Reflects often looks back at things that already happened, while ponders can look ahead.
- muses
- Muses sounds dreamy and relaxed, whereas ponders sounds more weighty and purposeful.
- deliberates
- Deliberates stresses weighing options toward a decision, often in a group.
Word family
- pondering noun/adjective
- The act of thinking carefully; also used as an adjective.
- ponderous adjective
- Slow and heavy, or tediously serious, as in a ponderous speech.
- ponderable adjective
- Able to be thought about or weighed.
Commonly confused: ponders or word?
ponders vs word
note
Practice
After the interview, Mia ___ whether the new job is worth moving cities for.
Choose one answer.
Ponders means thinks carefully and fits a decision. Ponderous is an adjective, so it cannot be the verb here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ponders”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.