How to Use ‘consider’ in a Sentence
The verb consider means to think carefully about something, especially before making a decision. In business English, it is used to express thoughtful evaluation, polite suggestions, or formal recommendations. To use it correctly, remember that consider is followed by a noun, a gerund (verb + -ing), or a that-clause, but never directly by an infinitive (to + verb). For example, you say “consider the proposal,” “consider hiring someone,” or “consider that the deadline is tight,” but not “consider to hire.”
Quick Answer: How to Use ‘consider’
- Structure: consider + noun / gerund / that-clause
- Meaning: to think about something carefully or to have a particular opinion about something
- Common patterns: “We consider this a priority,” “Please consider our offer,” “I consider that we need more data.”
- Key rule: Never use “consider to do” — use “consider doing” instead.
Formal and Informal Uses of ‘consider’
In business writing, consider is versatile. It works in both formal and informal contexts, but the tone changes depending on the sentence structure and surrounding words.
Formal Use
In formal emails, reports, or meetings, consider often appears with polite or cautious language. It shows respect and careful thought.
- “We kindly ask you to consider our revised proposal.”
- “The board will consider the merger at the next meeting.”
- “Please consider that the budget has been reduced.”
Informal Use
In everyday conversation or casual internal messages, consider can be more direct or even used as a suggestion.
- “Consider taking a break before the next call.”
- “I consider him a great team player.”
- “Consider it done.”
Comparison Table: ‘consider’ vs. Similar Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Example | Common Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| consider | Think about carefully | We consider your application. | consider + noun / gerund / that-clause |
| think about | Have an opinion or idea | I am thinking about the offer. | think about + noun / gerund |
| evaluate | Assess or judge value | We need to evaluate the risks. | evaluate + noun |
| regard | Consider in a specific way | I regard him as an expert. | regard + noun + as |
| deem | Formal: consider to be | The project was deemed successful. | deem + noun + adjective |
Natural Examples in Business Contexts
Here are realistic sentences you might use in emails, meetings, or daily work conversations.
Email Context
- “Dear Team, please consider the attached timeline before our Friday meeting.”
- “We consider your feedback essential for the next phase.”
- “I consider that we should postpone the launch until quality checks are complete.”
Meeting Context
- “Let’s consider the pros and cons of each vendor.”
- “Do you consider this approach cost-effective?”
- “We should consider expanding into the Asian market next year.”
Conversation Context
- “I consider her the best candidate for the role.”
- “Consider this a friendly reminder about the deadline.”
- “He considered leaving the company but decided to stay.”
Common Mistakes with ‘consider’
Even advanced learners make these errors. Here are the most frequent ones and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Using ‘consider to’ + verb
Incorrect: “We consider to hire a new manager.”
Correct: “We consider hiring a new manager.”
Why: Consider is never followed by an infinitive. Use a gerund instead.
Mistake 2: Missing ‘as’ after ‘consider’ in some patterns
Incorrect: “I consider him a friend.” (This is actually correct in informal English, but in formal writing, some prefer “I consider him to be a friend” or “I regard him as a friend.”)
Note: “Consider + noun + noun” is standard and correct: “I consider it a priority.” No as needed.
Mistake 3: Using ‘consider’ for physical observation
Incorrect: “I considered the painting on the wall.” (This sounds odd unless you mean you thought about it deeply.)
Correct: “I looked at the painting.” Use consider only for mental evaluation.
Mistake 4: Confusing ‘consider’ with ‘considering’
Incorrect: “Considering the budget, we proceed.” (Missing punctuation or context.)
Correct: “Considering the budget, we decided to proceed.” Considering as a preposition means “taking into account.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes consider is too general. Here are more precise alternatives for specific situations.
- Evaluate – Use when you need to assess value or quality. “We need to evaluate the software’s performance.”
- Review – Use for checking documents or data. “Please review the contract before signing.”
- Contemplate – Use for deep, long-term thinking. “The CEO contemplated a major restructuring.”
- Weigh – Use when comparing options. “We weighed the benefits against the risks.”
- Take into account – Use when including factors. “We must take into account the current market trends.”
When to use ‘consider’: It is the safest, most neutral choice for everyday business communication. Use it when you want to sound polite, thoughtful, or open to discussion.
Mini Practice: 4 Questions with Answers
Test your understanding. Choose the correct option for each sentence.
Question 1
We should _______ the proposal before the deadline.
A) consider to review
B) consider reviewing
C) consider review
Answer: B) consider reviewing
Question 2
I _______ her the most qualified candidate.
A) consider
B) consider as
C) consider to be as
Answer: A) consider (or “consider to be” is also acceptable, but “consider” alone is correct and common)
Question 3
_______ the feedback, we revised the report.
A) Consider
B) Considering
C) Considered
Answer: B) Considering (as a preposition meaning “taking into account”)
Question 4
Please _______ that the deadline is next Friday.
A) consider
B) consider to
C) consider about
Answer: A) consider (followed by a that-clause)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use ‘consider’ with an infinitive?
No. Consider is never followed by “to + verb.” Use a gerund instead: “consider doing,” not “consider to do.”
2. Is ‘consider as’ correct?
In most cases, consider does not need as. For example, “I consider him a friend” is correct. However, in passive voice, “He is considered as a leader” is sometimes used, though “He is considered a leader” is more common and preferred.
3. What is the difference between ‘consider’ and ‘regard’?
Consider implies careful thought or evaluation. Regard often means to have a particular opinion or feeling. Also, regard always requires as: “I regard him as an expert.”
4. Can ‘consider’ be used in negative sentences?
Yes. For example, “I do not consider that option viable.” It works naturally in negative contexts, especially in formal writing.
Final Tips for Using ‘consider’ in Business Writing
To master consider, remember these three rules:
- Always use a gerund after consider, not an infinitive.
- Use consider + that-clause for opinions or facts.
- In formal writing, consider is a safe, polite choice for suggestions and evaluations.
For more help with business sentence patterns, explore our Simple Sentence Examples or check Common Usage Mistakes to avoid errors like these. If you have questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us. For guidelines on how we create content, see our Editorial Policy.