- Are you unsure whether to say “consider to go” or “consider going”?
- Do you want to sound more professional when discussing options in a business meeting?
- Do you feel like your English sounds repetitive because you always use “think about” instead of “consider”?
Mastering consider collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. While basic verbs like “think” get the point across, using “consider” with the correct adverbs and patterns allows you to express nuance, professionalism, and precision. This guide, curated by our linguistic experts, will help you stop translating from your native language and start using “consider” like a native speaker.
Common Collocations with CONSIDER as a Verb
In modern English, “consider” is primarily used as a verb to describe the process of thinking about something carefully, especially before making a decision. It is a “high-utility” word in both academic and business contexts.
Adverbs of Manner and Degree
These adverbs describe how or how much someone is thinking about a topic. These are essential for adding “weight” to your sentences.
- Carefully consider: You should carefully consider the consequences before signing the contract.
- Seriously consider: We are seriously considering expanding our operations to Europe.
- Briefly consider: I briefly considered the offer, but I decided to stay in my current role.
- Strongly consider: The committee will strongly consider your proposal.
- Actively consider: The government is actively considering new laws to reduce carbon emissions.
Grammatical Patterns and Phrases
Using the correct grammar after the word “consider” is what separates advanced learners from beginners. Note that “consider” is almost always followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive (to + verb).
- Consider doing (something): Have you considered applying for the manager position?
- Consider whether/if: We need to consider whether the project is still financially viable.
- Consider how: It is important to consider how this change will affect the staff.
- Consider someone/something (to be): Many people consider him the greatest athlete of all time. (Note: “to be” is optional and often omitted in modern usage).
Idiomatic and Fixed Expressions
These are “chunks” of language that native speakers use automatically in specific situations.
- Consider it done: Use this to show you will take care of a request immediately. “Can you send that report?” “Consider it done!”
- All things considered: Used to summarize a situation after looking at all the facts. “All things considered, it was a successful year.”
- Take something into consideration: While “consideration” is a noun, this phrasal collocation is the direct equivalent of the verb “consider.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Carefully consider | Adverb + Verb | To think about something very thoroughly. |
| Consider doing | Verb + Gerund | Thinking about taking a specific action. |
| Consider whether | Verb + Conjunction | Evaluating two or more possibilities. |
| Seriously consider | Adverb + Verb | To be very interested in an idea or option. |
| All things considered | Fixed Phrase | Taking all facts into account; in conclusion. |
| Consider it done | Idiom | A promise to do something immediately. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learners often apply the grammar of “want” or “hope” to “consider,” which leads to unnatural phrasing. This table corrects the most frequent errors found in learner corpora.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I consider to move to Spain. | I am considering moving to Spain. |
| We must consider about the price. | We must consider the price. |
| I consider him as my best friend. | I consider him my best friend. |
| Please consider to help us. | Please consider helping us. |
Contextual Story
“When our team sat down to discuss the budget, we had to carefully consider every expense. At first, the CEO briefly considered cutting the marketing budget, but after looking at the data, she realized that wouldn’t work. We are now seriously considering hiring a new consultant instead. All things considered, we believe this is the safest path forward. When I asked the project lead if he could draft the new plan by Friday, he simply smiled and said, ‘Consider it done!'”
Frequently Asked Questions about Consider Collocations
Is “consider” followed by “to” or “-ing”?
In modern English, “consider” is followed by the gerund (the -ing form) when it refers to an action. For example, “I am considering buying a car” is correct. “I am considering to buy a car” is a common learner error and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
What is the difference between “consider” and “think about”?
“Think about” is more general and informal. “Consider” is more formal and implies a more structured or serious decision-making process. You might “think about” what to have for dinner, but you “consider” a job offer.
Should I use “as” after “consider”? (e.g., I consider him as a hero)
While “consider as” is occasionally found, it is more efficient and natural in modern English to drop the “as.” Use the pattern: [Consider + Object + Noun/Adjective]. For example: “I consider him a hero” or “We consider the project finished.”
Can “consider” be used in the continuous (-ing) tense?
Yes. Unlike some state verbs, “consider” is frequently used in the continuous form (e.g., “I am considering…”) when it describes a deliberate mental process that is currently happening.
What does “take into consideration” mean?
This is a more formal way of saying “consider.” It is often used in legal, medical, or official business contexts. For example: “The judge will take your clean record into consideration.”
Just read this. Excellent tips! I've been struggling to make my English sound less 'basic' and this is exactly what I needed. The adverbs are key. Thanks!
This makes me 'consider' my own English usage more 'carefully'! Haha. No, but seriously, it's amazing how much difference just one verb and its collocations can make to fluency and precision. Thanks a lot!
Could you 'seriously consider' something for a short time, or does 'seriously' imply a longer duration of thought? For example, 'I seriously considered quitting my job for about five minutes after that email.' Is that correct?
I'm an advanced learner, and even I picked up some new nuances here. The distinction between 'think about' and 'consider' is often glossed over in textbooks, but it's crucial for truly sounding like a native speaker. Excellent work, Translateen.com!
I love how this blog always focuses on practical usage. 'Mastering consider collocations is a vital step toward English fluency' – this sentence really motivates me! More articles like this, please!
This article is a game-changer for my academic writing. I always try to vary my vocabulary, and 'consider' with its adverbs will definitely help me elevate my essays. I especially like 'carefully consider' for presenting arguments.
Are there any common mistakes or pitfalls people make with 'consider' besides the gerund/infinitive one? I want to make sure I avoid them!
Great question, Maria! Beyond the gerund/infinitive trap, another common pitfall is using 'consider as.' While 'regard as' or 'view as' are correct, 'consider' generally doesn't take 'as' when introducing a new role or characteristic. For example, say 'We consider him a leader' rather than 'We consider him as a leader.' Also, ensure you use appropriate adverbs that truly reflect the degree of consideration, as discussed in the article. Keep practicing!
The difference between 'think about' and 'consider' is subtle but important. This article makes it very clear. 'Consider' definitely adds that professional touch. Thank you!
I used to think 'consider' was only for big, important decisions. But seeing 'briefly consider' shows me it can be used for smaller thoughts too. This opens up so many new ways for me to express myself!
Does 'consider' always imply a decision or weighing options? Can you 'consider something' just as a thought, without an impending decision? For example, 'I was considering the beauty of the sunset.'
That's a very insightful question, Raj! While 'consider' often implies weighing options or an impending decision, you absolutely can use it to describe deep thought or contemplation without an immediate decision. Your example, 'I was considering the beauty of the sunset,' is perfectly natural and correct. It suggests a thoughtful reflection, not necessarily a choice to be made. Great observation!