What Does consider Mean? Simple Explanation and Examples
The word consider means to think carefully about something before making a decision or forming an opinion. It is a verb that shows you are giving attention to facts, possibilities, or someone’s feelings. For example, if you say “I will consider your offer,” you mean you will take time to think about it before saying yes or no. This guide gives you a direct explanation, real examples, common mistakes, and practice to help you use consider correctly in writing, conversation, and study.
Quick Answer
Consider = to think about something carefully, usually before deciding. It can also mean to regard someone or something in a particular way. Use it when you want to show thought, attention, or respect for details.
Simple Meaning of consider
At its core, consider means “to think about.” But it is stronger than just a quick thought. When you consider something, you pause, reflect, and weigh options. Here are the two main ways to use it:
- To think about a possibility: “She is considering a new job.” (She is thinking about whether to take it.)
- To have a particular opinion: “I consider him a good friend.” (I believe he is a good friend.)
In both cases, the word shows that you are not acting without thought. It is a polite and careful word, often used in formal and informal settings.
Formal and Informal Tone
Consider works well in both formal and informal English, but the context changes slightly.
- Formal: Used in business emails, academic writing, or official documents. Example: “We kindly ask you to consider our proposal.”
- Informal: Used in everyday conversation. Example: “I’m considering going to the park later.”
In formal settings, consider sounds respectful and professional. In casual talk, it feels natural and thoughtful. Avoid using it when you want to sound very direct or urgent—use “decide” or “choose” instead.
Email and Conversation Context
In emails, consider is common for polite requests or suggestions. For example:
- “Please consider my application.”
- “We are considering your feedback.”
In conversation, it often shows hesitation or careful thinking:
- “I’m considering moving to a new city.”
- “Have you considered talking to your manager?”
When you use consider, you signal that you are open to ideas but not yet committed. This nuance is important for learners who want to sound thoughtful, not pushy.
Comparison Table: consider vs. think about vs. regard
| Word | Meaning | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consider | Think carefully, often before deciding | “I will consider your advice.” | Formal or neutral |
| Think about | Have thoughts on something, less formal | “I’m thinking about dinner.” | Informal |
| Regard | View or judge in a specific way | “I regard her as an expert.” | Formal |
Use consider when you want to sound careful and polite. Use think about for casual ideas. Use regard for opinions or judgments.
Natural Examples
Here are real-life sentences that show how native speakers use consider:
- “Before you quit, consider the long-term effects.”
- “We are considering a new supplier for next year.”
- “I consider this book one of the best I’ve read.”
- “Have you considered taking a short break?”
- “The committee will consider all applications by Friday.”
- “She considered his offer but decided to stay.”
Notice that consider is often followed by a noun (consider the effects), a gerund (consider taking), or a clause (consider that…).
Common Mistakes
English learners often make these errors with consider:
- Mistake 1: “I consider to go.”
Correct: “I consider going.” (Use the gerund form, not the infinitive.) - Mistake 2: “I consider him as a friend.”
Correct: “I consider him a friend.” (No “as” needed after consider when giving an opinion.) - Mistake 3: “Please consider about my request.”
Correct: “Please consider my request.” (No preposition “about” after consider.)
These mistakes are common because learners translate directly from their native language. Practice the correct patterns to sound natural.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes consider is not the best choice. Here are alternatives for specific situations:
- Evaluate – Use when you need to judge quality or value. Example: “We need to evaluate the results.”
- Weigh – Use when comparing options. Example: “Weigh the pros and cons.”
- Contemplate – Use for deep, thoughtful reflection. Example: “He contemplated a career change.”
- Think over – Use in casual conversation. Example: “Let me think it over.”
When you want to be polite and open, consider is usually the safest choice. For more direct action, use “decide” or “choose.”
When to Use consider
Use consider in these situations:
- When you want to show respect for someone’s idea: “I will consider your suggestion.”
- When you are not ready to decide: “I’m considering both options.”
- When giving an opinion: “I consider this a fair deal.”
- In formal writing: “The study considers multiple factors.”
Avoid using consider when you want to sound urgent or certain. For example, “I consider this urgent” sounds odd. Instead, say “This is urgent.”
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding with these four questions. Answers are below.
- Fill in the blank: “She is ______ a new hobby.” (consider)
- True or false: “I consider to study English” is correct.
- Choose the correct sentence: a) “Please consider my idea.” b) “Please consider about my idea.”
- Rewrite using consider: “I think that he is a good teacher.”
Answers:
- “She is considering a new hobby.”
- False. The correct form is “I consider studying English.”
- a) “Please consider my idea.”
- “I consider him a good teacher.”
FAQ
1. Can I use “consider” with “as”?
No, when consider means “to have an opinion,” do not use “as.” Say “I consider her a friend,” not “I consider her as a friend.” However, in passive voice, “as” is sometimes used: “She is considered as a leader.” This is less common but acceptable.
2. What is the difference between “consider” and “think about”?
Consider is more formal and implies careful thought. Think about is casual and can mean just having a thought. For example, “I’m thinking about pizza” is casual, but “I’m considering a diet” shows more serious thought.
3. Is “consider” followed by a gerund or infinitive?
It is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). Example: “I consider moving to a new city.” Do not say “I consider to move.”
4. Can I use “consider” in negative sentences?
Yes. Example: “I do not consider that a good idea.” It works naturally in negatives to show disagreement or doubt.
Final Note
Mastering consider will help you sound more thoughtful and polite in English. Practice using it with gerunds and without prepositions. For more simple explanations of common words, visit our Simple Meanings section. If you have questions, check our FAQ or contact us. Always remember to read our editorial policy for how we create these guides.
