- Have you ever struggled to decide whether to “make,” “do,” or “give” consideration to an idea?
- Do you know the subtle difference between something being “under consideration” versus “taking it into consideration”?
- Are you looking for more professional, “native-sounding” alternatives to the word “think” in your business emails?
Mastering Consideration Collocations is a vital step for any English learner aiming for a C1 or C2 level of fluency. In professional and academic settings, the word “consideration” rarely travels alone; it relies on specific verb and adjective partners to convey precise meanings. By learning these “word blocks,” you reduce cognitive load, decrease language anxiety, and ensure your English sounds natural rather than translated.
Essential Collocations using CONSIDERATION as a Noun
In modern English, “consideration” is almost exclusively used as a noun. It refers to the process of thinking about something carefully or a factor taken into account when making a decision. Below are the most common ways we pair this noun in 2024.
Verb + Consideration (Action Patterns)
These collocations describe the act of thinking about an issue or proposal.
- Give consideration: To think about something. (e.g., “The board will give your proposal serious consideration at the next meeting.”)
- Take into consideration: To include a specific fact when making a decision. (e.g., “We must take the budget into consideration before hiring new staff.”)
- Deserve/Merit consideration: When an idea is good enough to be thought about. (e.g., “Your suggestion merits further consideration.”)
- Receive consideration: To be thought about by someone else. (e.g., “His application received careful consideration from the admissions team.”)
Adjective + Consideration (Descriptive Patterns)
These collocations describe the quality or depth of the thinking process.
- Careful consideration: Thoughtful and detailed thinking. (e.g., “After careful consideration, I have decided to accept the offer.”)
- Due consideration: The proper or required amount of thought. (e.g., “The judge gave due consideration to all the evidence.”)
- Serious consideration: Thinking about something with high importance. (e.g., “She is giving serious consideration to moving abroad.”)
- Primary consideration: The most important thing to think about. (e.g., “Safety is our primary consideration when designing new cars.”)
Prepositional Phrases with Consideration
These phrases often describe the status of a project or the reason for an action.
- Under consideration: Currently being discussed or thought about. (e.g., “Several new policies are currently under consideration.”)
- Out of consideration for: Doing something because you care about someone else’s feelings. (e.g., “We kept the noise down out of consideration for the neighbors.”)
- For your consideration: A formal way to present an idea to someone. (e.g., “I have attached the report for your consideration.”)
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Take into consideration | Verb + Noun Phrase | To include a fact in your decision-making. |
| Under consideration | Prepositional Phrase | Currently being reviewed or discussed. |
| Careful consideration | Adjective + Noun | A deep, thorough thinking process. |
| Give consideration to | Verb + Noun + Prep | To spend time thinking about a specific topic. |
| Merit consideration | Verb + Noun | To be worthy of being thought about. |
| Due consideration | Adjective + Noun | The appropriate amount of thought required. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make a consideration | Give consideration or Consider |
| Take in consideration | Take into consideration |
| In consideration of (Status) | Under consideration (e.g., “The plan is under consideration.”) |
| Highly consideration | Serious consideration or Careful consideration |
“Subject: Project Proposal Update. Dear Team, please find the revised project timeline attached for your consideration. We have taken into consideration your feedback regarding the budget constraints. After careful consideration of the available resources, we believe this new plan merits consideration by the executive board. This proposal is currently under consideration and we hope for a final decision by Friday.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Consideration Collocations
Is there a difference between “take into consideration” and “take into account”?
In most contexts, they are interchangeable. However, “take into account” is often used for numerical or factual data, while “take into consideration” is slightly more formal and is frequently used for abstract ideas or people’s feelings.
Can I say “I am considering” instead of “I am giving consideration to”?
Yes. “I am considering” is the verb form and is more direct. “Giving consideration to” is more formal and is common in business writing or legal contexts to emphasize the process of thinking.
Which preposition follows “consideration” when I want to mention the topic?
We typically use the preposition “of” (e.g., “The consideration of the facts”) or “for” (e.g., “Your consideration for the position”). If using the verb “give,” we use “to” (e.g., “Give consideration to the proposal”).
Is “under consideration” the same as “in progress”?
Not exactly. “In progress” means the work has already started. “Under consideration” means the decision to start the work is still being debated or thought about.
What does “out of consideration for” mean?
This is an idiomatic phrase meaning “because of respect for” or “to avoid upsetting” someone. For example, “I turned off my phone out of consideration for the other guests.”
In Korean, we have similar constructions for 'taking into account,' but the verb choices are often more straightforward. This article makes me realize how much idiomatic usage there is in English.
That's a fantastic cross-linguistic comparison, Kim Min-jun! English, like many languages, relies heavily on idiomatic and fixed expressions like collocations. Your observation highlights why direct translation often doesn't work and why learning these 'word blocks' is so essential for natural English. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
Thank you for explaining why this is important for C1/C2 learners. It helps motivate me to dive deeper into these kinds of linguistic details.
That's wonderful to hear, Chloe! Understanding the 'why' behind advanced language concepts can indeed be a powerful motivator. Mastering these precise collocations is a clear indicator of moving beyond intermediate fluency and truly owning the language. Keep that motivation burning!
The point about 'consideration' almost exclusively being a noun in 2024 is important. Sometimes old textbooks can be misleading on current usage.
You've hit on a crucial point, Javier! Language is dynamic, and current usage can indeed differ from older texts. Our aim is to provide up-to-date information, reflecting how native speakers communicate *now*. Always be mindful of the publication date of your learning materials!
I had a job interview recently, and I tried to use 'I will take your feedback into consideration.' This article makes me feel more confident about using it correctly in the future!
That's fantastic, Anya! Using phrases like 'take your feedback into consideration' demonstrates a high level of English proficiency and professionalism. It shows you're attentive and capable of nuanced communication. You're definitely on the right track for future interviews and professional interactions!
I often wonder if I can use 'consideration' in less formal settings, or is it strictly for academic/business contexts?
That's a great point, Diego! While 'consideration' collocations shine in formal settings, you can absolutely use them in slightly less formal but still serious discussions. For instance, 'I'll give your idea some consideration' is perfectly natural among colleagues or friends when discussing a plan. However, 'Let me think about it' or 'I'll consider it' would be more common in purely casual chats. It's about context, as always!
I remember a phrase 'for your kind consideration' from old letters. Is that still used, or is it too old-fashioned now?
That's a charming phrase, Isabella! 'For your kind consideration' is indeed a bit old-fashioned, but it's not entirely obsolete, especially in very formal or polite correspondence where you're asking someone to review something. For modern professional emails, something like 'for your review' or 'we invite your consideration of...' might be more common, but the older phrase still conveys a gentle request. Good memory!
When the article mentions 'adjective partners' for 'consideration,' could you give a few more examples beyond 'serious consideration'?
Absolutely, Li Wei! Common adjective partners for 'consideration' include 'careful consideration,' 'due consideration,' 'full consideration,' 'thoughtful consideration,' 'proper consideration,' and even 'primary consideration.' Each adds a slightly different nuance to the act of thinking or factor being taken into account. These are excellent for adding precision to your writing!
My English teacher always emphasized 'natural-sounding' English. This article explains *how* to achieve that, rather than just telling us. Top-notch content!
Thank you for the kind words, Ben! We strongly believe in providing actionable strategies for learners. Understanding the 'how' behind natural language use is key to genuinely improving fluency. We're glad it resonated with you!
This article is exactly what I needed! I often write formal reports and always felt my language wasn't quite 'there.' The examples are very clear.
We're delighted to hear that, Fatima! Elevating your formal writing is a fantastic goal, and mastering collocations like those with 'consideration' will certainly help you achieve that sophisticated, native-like tone in your reports. Keep practicing with these examples!
I'm curious if there are any specific US vs. UK differences when it comes to these collocations with 'consideration.' Or are they pretty universal?
That's a very relevant question, Hiroshi! For the core collocations like 'give consideration,' 'take into consideration,' and 'under consideration,' they are remarkably consistent across both US and UK English. These are standard professional and academic usages. You can use them confidently regardless of your target audience's regional dialect!