consider

consider — verb

1. to use your mind to weigh different options or possible actions before deciding

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to use your mind to weigh different options or possible actions before deciding what to do

Example

Aiko is considering studying abroad next year in Canada.

consider + gerund: considering studying

The committee considered several options before choosing the cheapest one.

Common collocations
  • consider carefully
  • seriously consider
  • briefly consider
  • consider an option
  • consider a possibility
  • consider a proposal
Synonyms
  • think about

    more general, less formal; can be used in any context

  • weigh

    emphasises comparing pros and cons of different options

  • contemplate

    suggests longer, deeper reflection, often on future possibilities

Antonyms
  • dismiss

    to decide not to think about an option any further

  • ignore

    to deliberately not consider something

Grammar Patterns

consider + -ing verb

consider + wh- clause

Usage Note

When followed by a verb, use the -ing form, not the infinitive with 'to'. Say 'consider moving', not 'consider to move'. This sense can be used intransitively with 'about' (e.g., 'We need time to consider about this').

Common Mistakes

I consider to study in Japan.
I consider studying in Japan.
After 'consider', use the -ing form, not the to-infinitive.

2. to include a particular fact or subject in your thinking when forming a judgment

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to include a particular fact or subject in your thinking when forming a judgment or making a decision

Example

When considering the total cost, remember to include taxes and delivery fees.

when considering + noun phrase

The judge considered the boy's age before announcing the sentence.

Common collocations
  • consider the cost
  • consider the fact that
  • consider the consequences
  • all things considered
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • overlook

    to fail to include an important factor

  • disregard

    to intentionally not consider a factor

Grammar Patterns

consider + noun phrase (as a factor)

consider + wh- clause

Usage Note

Often used in the fixed phrase 'considering (that)…' as a conjunction meaning 'given the fact that'. This sense overlaps with 'take into account' and is common in formal reasoning and evaluation contexts.

Common Mistakes

Considering of the weather, we stayed inside.
Considering the weather, we stayed inside.
No 'of' is needed after 'considering' in this sense.

3. to show respect for someone else's feelings, wishes, or situation by letting the

3.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to show respect for someone else's feelings, wishes, or situation by letting them influence your own actions or decisions

Example

Theo always considers his grandmother's feelings before making holiday plans.

considers + possessive + feelings

A good manager considers the needs of every person in the team.

Common collocations
  • consider someone's feelings
  • consider someone's needs
  • consider someone's wishes
Synonyms
  • care about

    more emotional and personal; used more in everyday conversation

  • respect

    implies admiration, not just awareness of feelings

Antonyms
  • disregard

    to ignore someone's feelings on purpose

  • neglect

    to fail to think about someone's needs

Grammar Patterns

consider + noun phrase (someone's feelings/needs)

Usage Note

This sense is close to 'care about' but is typically used in decisions or actions that have a direct impact on others. The object is usually a person's feelings, needs, or well-being. Less common in questions and negative statements than 'care about'.

Common Mistakes

Please consider about my feelings.
Please consider my feelings.
No 'about' is needed after 'consider' in this sense.

4. to have a particular opinion about someone or something based on your judgment —

4.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to have a particular opinion about someone or something based on your judgment — for example, considering a film boring, a colleague brilliant, or a plan unrealistic

Example

Most critics consider the novel one of the finest works of the twentieth century.

consider + noun + noun complement

The team considers their coach a fair and honest person.

Common collocations
  • consider someone an expert
  • consider something a success
  • consider it necessary
  • be widely considered
Synonyms
  • regard

    always needs 'as' (regard someone as); slightly more formal

  • deem

    more formal, often used in official or legal contexts

  • view

    suggests a perspective or angle; needs 'as' (view someone as)

Grammar Patterns

consider + noun + (to be) + noun/adj

consider + noun + noun/adj

be considered + noun/adj

consider + that-clause

Usage Note

In active sentences, 'consider' can be followed by an object and a noun/adjective complement with or without 'to be' (e.g., 'I consider her (to be) honest'). Omitting 'to be' is more common in everyday English. In passive structures, 'to be' is more frequent (e.g., 'She is considered to be honest').

Common Mistakes

I consider him as a close friend.
I consider him a close friend.
Unlike 'regard as', 'consider' usually does not need 'as' before the complement.
She considers that he is honest.' (when simpler works)
She considers him honest.
The that-clause is possible but often heavier than the object+complement pattern.

5. to be widely viewed or judged by others as excellent, admirable, or important in

5.verbC1
Definition

to be widely viewed or judged by others as excellent, admirable, or important in a particular field or role

Example

Dr. Okafor is considered an expert in tropical medicine across West Africa.

passive: is considered + noun complement

This novel is considered a masterpiece of modern Japanese literature.

Common collocations
  • be considered one of the best
  • be widely considered
  • be considered a leading expert
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be considered + noun/adj (by someone)

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the passive voice ('be considered'). The person or thing being admired is the subject, and the complement states what they are admired as. Distinguish from sense 4 (OPINION): sense 5 implies widespread public admiration, not just a personal belief.

Common Mistakes

People consider him as a hero.' (mixing patterns)
People consider him a hero.' or 'He is considered a hero.
Use the passive for the 'admired' sense, or omit 'as' for the opinion sense.

6. to look at someone or something with focused attention, usually in order to form

6.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to look at someone or something with focused attention, usually in order to form a judgment or understanding

Example

The detective considered the muddy footprints very carefully before drawing any conclusions.

considered + noun + adverb — visual examination

Rohan considered the old painting for several minutes before saying a word.

Common collocations
  • consider carefully
  • consider closely
  • consider someone's face
  • consider the evidence
Synonyms
  • examine

    more technical; suggests systematic inspection

  • study

    implies trying to understand through careful looking

  • scrutinize

    suggests very detailed, critical examination

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to not look at or pay attention to

  • glance at

    to look briefly, without focused attention

Grammar Patterns

consider + noun phrase (visually or mentally)

Usage Note

This sense focuses on visual or mental scrutiny — studying something with your eyes or mind. It is less common than the 'think about' sense and is often used with adverbs like 'carefully' or 'closely'. Not used for quick glances: 'glance' or 'look at' are better for brief looks.

Common Mistakes

He considered the book cover for two seconds.' (should be quick action)
He glanced at the book cover.
'Consider' implies focused attention, not a brief look.

7. taking the time to think through all the relevant facts, especially potential pr

7.verbC1
Definition

taking the time to think through all the relevant facts, especially potential problems or difficulties, before acting or speaking

Example

After carefully considering the risks, Nadia decided not to climb the mountain alone.

after considering + noun phrase — thought-before-action pattern

The manager considered the budget problems before announcing any changes.

Common collocations
  • consider the consequences
  • consider the difficulties
  • consider the implications
  • consider every angle
  • consider all aspects
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

of someone to consider + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense emphasises thoroughness and caution — examining all aspects, especially the difficult or problematic ones, before acting. It often appears in the phrase 'It is/was + adjective + of someone to consider…' to praise someone for being thoughtful.

Idioms

all things considered

idiom

After thinking about every part of a situation, including the bad parts.

All things considered, Maya's recovery from surgery was remarkably fast.

The picnic was fun, all things considered, despite the sudden rain.

your considered opinion

idiom

An opinion that you have formed after thinking carefully about something.

What is your considered opinion on the new school policy?

After reading the report, Diego gave his considered opinion to the board.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

The most common sense of 'consider' overlaps with several near-synonyms. 'Think about' is the most general and neutral — you can think about anything at any time without implying depth. 'Weigh' emphasises comparing options or factors, as when you weigh the pros and cons before a decision. 'Contemplate' implies deeper, more prolonged reflection, often on future possibilities or abstract ideas ('He contemplated a career change'). 'Mull over' is the most informal of the set, suggesting turning an idea over in your mind at a relaxed pace ('She mulled over the offer for a week'). 'Deliberate' is the most formal, typical of legal or committee settings where a group discusses evidence before reaching a conclusion ('The jury deliberated for two hours'). For everyday weighing of choices, 'consider' and 'think about' work in almost any register; use 'weigh' when the comparison of pros and cons is central, 'contemplate' for thoughtful reflection on big decisions, and 'deliberate' in formal group contexts.

think about ↗weigh ↗contemplate ↗mull overdeliberate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'considerare', meaning 'to look at closely, observe'. The word combines 'con-' (an intensive prefix) with 'sidus, sider-' (star, constellation), so the original sense was literally 'to observe the stars' for navigation or astrology. This evolved into 'to examine carefully' and later 'to think about thoughtfully'. English adopted it through Old French 'considerer' in the 14th century.