# consider

/kənˈsɪdɝ/ (US) · /kənsˈɪdɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consider
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to think about carefully

verb · CEFR A2

to think about something seriously before you make a decision.

For teachers: to think about something with care or caution, often in order to make a decision.

- Please take some time to consider our offer before you say yes.
- The board of directors will consider the proposal during their next meeting, weighing the potential risks against the projected profits.

Usage: Often followed by a noun phrase or a 'whether' clause.

### 2. to have an opinion

verb · CEFR B1

to believe that someone or something has a particular quality.

For teachers: to regard or judge someone or something as being a certain way.

- Many people consider her the best doctor in the city.
- Historians generally consider the signing of this treaty to be the definitive end of the conflict in the region.

Usage: Typically follows the pattern: consider + object + adjective/noun.

### 3. to think about doing something

verb · CEFR B1

to think about a possible plan or action.

For teachers: to weigh a possible course of action as a potential choice.

- We are considering moving to a bigger house next year.
- The government is considering implementing stricter environmental regulations to combat the rising levels of urban pollution.

Usage: Takes the -ing form of the following verb.

### 4. to take into account

verb · CEFR B2

to think about a particular fact when you are judging a situation.

For teachers: to take something into account or show regard for a specific factor.

- You must consider the feelings of others before you speak.
- When calculating the final budget, the architect had to consider the fluctuating costs of raw materials like steel and timber.

## Examples

- Please consider my offer before you say no.
- The committee will consider all the applications before choosing a winner for the scholarship.
- When planning a long-term investment, you must consider not only the potential returns but also the inherent risks associated with market volatility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.