A Sentence with the Word Consider
The verb consider appears frequently in both spoken and written English, yet many learners struggle to place it correctly within a sentence. Understanding how to build a sentence with the word consider involves recognizing its grammatical role, exploring common patterns, and appreciating the subtle shifts in meaning that different constructions can create. This guide walks you through each step, provides clear examples, and answers common questions so you can use consider confidently and accurately.
Introduction
When you encounter the word consider, you are dealing with a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object or a clause. But it expresses the act of thinking about something carefully, taking it into account, or regarding it in a particular way. Think about it: because consider can be followed by nouns, pronouns, gerunds, infinitives, or even full clauses, mastering its usage expands your ability to convey nuanced thoughts. The sections below break down the process into manageable steps, explain the underlying grammar, highlight frequent patterns, and address typical uncertainties Simple as that..
Understanding the Verb “Consider”
Before constructing sentences, it helps to clarify what consider means and how it behaves syntactically.
- Core meaning: to think about something deliberately, often with the aim of making a decision or forming an opinion.
- Transitive nature: it requires an object—what is being thought about.
- Complement types: the object can be a noun phrase, a gerund (‑ing form), a noun clause, or, in some cases, an infinitive with a preceding to (though this is less common and often sounds formal or archaic).
Example:
- She will consider the proposal. (noun phrase)
- They consider moving to a new city. (gerund)
- I consider that we should wait. (noun clause)
Recognizing these patterns lays the foundation for building correct sentences.
How to Form a Sentence with the Word Consider (Step‑by‑Step)
Follow these practical steps to create a grammatically sound sentence that includes consider.
Step 1: Identify the Subject
Determine who or what is doing the considering. This can be a person, group, or even an abstract entity.
Examples: The committee, My parents, Researchers Simple, but easy to overlook..
Step 2: Choose the Correct Form of “Consider”
Match the verb tense to the time frame of your sentence Most people skip this — try not to..
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple present | consider / considers | He considers every option. |
| Present progressive | is/are considering | *They are considering a redesign.Plus, * |
| Future | will consider | *We will consider your feedback. * |
| Simple past | considered | She considered the offer yesterday. |
| Perfect | has/have considered | *I have considered all alternatives. |
Step 3: Select the Object or Complement
Decide what is being considered. This choice determines the sentence’s structure The details matter here..
- Noun phrase: The board will consider the new policy.
- Gerund phrase: She is considering changing her major.
- Noun clause (that‑clause): I consider that the experiment was successful.
- Wh‑clause: They consider whether the investment is worthwhile.
Step 4: Add Any Necessary Modifiers
Include adverbs, prepositional phrases, or additional clauses to provide context That's the whole idea..
- The judge carefully considered the evidence before ruling.
- After hours of debate, the team considered implementing the suggestion in the next sprint.
Step 5: Review for Agreement and Clarity
Check that the subject and verb agree, that the tense is consistent, and that the object clearly follows consider. Read the sentence aloud to ensure it sounds natural.
Final example: The researchers will consider publishing their findings in an open‑access journal after reviewing peer feedback.
Common Patterns and Structures
Below are the most frequent constructions you will encounter when forming a sentence with the word consider. Each pattern is illustrated with a sample sentence.
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Consider + noun/noun phrase | Subject + consider + noun | The committee will consider the budget. |
| Consider + gerund (‑ing) | Subject + consider + verb‑ing | *He is considering applying for the scholarship.Which means * |
| Consider + object + complement (consider … as …) | Subject + consider + object + as + noun/adjective | *She considers him a reliable partner. Even so, * |
| Consider + noun clause (that‑clause) | Subject + consider + that + clause | *I consider that the plan is feasible. * |
| Consider + wh‑clause | Subject + consider + wh‑word + clause | They are considering whether to expand overseas. |
| Consider + past participle (passive sense) | Subject + consider + past participle | *The results are considered significant. |
Notes on the “consider … as …” Construction
When you want to express an opinion about someone or something, the pattern consider + object + as + complement is idiomatic. The word as can sometimes be omitted, especially in informal speech Small thing, real impact. But it adds up..
- They consider the results as preliminary.
- We consider her an expert in the field.
Omitting as yields: They consider the results preliminary. Both forms are correct; the version without as tends to sound more concise.
Nuances and Meaning Shifts
The meaning of consider can shift slightly depending on the complement you choose.
-
Deliberation vs. Opinion
- Consider + noun/gerund often implies a process of thinking before deciding.
- Consider + object + as + complement expresses a settled opinion or judgment.
Compare:
- She is considering taking a gap year. (still thinking)
- *She considers
Here's a thinking process:
- Analyze User Input:
- User wants me to continue an article naturally.
- They provided text up to: "She considers him a reliable partner. Omitting as yields: They consider the results preliminary. Both forms are correct; the version without as tends to sound more concise."
- Then there's a section "## Nuances and Meaning Shifts" starting with "1. Deliberation vs. Opinion" and examples, but it cuts off at "She considers"
- User says: "Do not repeat previous text. Finish with a proper conclusion."
- The input ends mid-sentence/section: "She considers"
- Identify the Task:
- Continue the article from where it left off, smoothly.
- Do not repeat previous text.
- Finish with a proper conclusion.
- The style appears to be about the word "consider" in grammar/sentence construction.
- Analyze the Cut-off Point:
- The last complete sentence was: "Omitting as yields: They consider the results preliminary. Both forms are correct; the version without as tends to sound more concise."
- Then "## Nuances and Meaning Shifts" starts.
- Point 1 starts: "1. Deliberation vs. Opinion"
- Then: "She is considering taking a gap year. (still thinking)"
- Then: "*She considers" - this is where it cuts off.
- I need to continue from "*She considers" naturally, completing the thought, then continue the section, then add a conclusion.
Wait, let me read carefully. The user provided text up to "She considers* him a reliable partner.* Omitting as yields: They consider the results preliminary. Both forms are correct; the version without as tends to sound more concise.
Nuances and Meaning Shifts
The meaning of consider can shift slightly depending on the complement you choose.
-
Deliberation vs. Opinion
- Consider + noun/gerund often implies a process of thinking before deciding.
- Consider + object + as + complement expresses a settled opinion or judgment.
Compare:
- She is considering taking a gap year. (still thinking)
- *She considers"
So the cut-off is at "*She considers" at the end of the "Compare" section. I need to continue from there Not complicated — just consistent..
The user says: "Continue the article smoothly. Because of that, do not repeat previous text. Finish with a proper conclusion That's the part that actually makes a difference..
So I need to:
- Continue from "*She considers"
- Complete the comparison sentence
- Finish point 1 (Deliberation vs. Opinion)
- Move to point 2 (if any, or just continue logically)
- Possibly complete the Nuances section
- Add a proper conclusion
- Not repeat previous text
Let me outline what's likely needed:
- Complete "*She considers" -> probably "*She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience" or similar, but the structure is "Consider + object + as + complement" or just "Consider + complement". So "She considers taking a gap year a bold move. (still thinking)" so the contrast is "Consider + object + as + complement expresses a settled opinion". Plus, looking at the pattern: "*She considers him a reliable partner. *" So likely "She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience" or just "She considers taking a gap year.Day to day, " But the sentence before was "*She is considering taking a gap year. " or similar.
Actually, the pattern given earlier: "Consider + object + complement (consider … as …)" with example: "She considers him a reliable partner." And "Omitting as yields: They consider the results preliminary."
So for the comparison: "*She considers taking a gap year a bold move.Here the gerund "taking" acts as the object, and the complement follows. " or "*She considers taking a gap year risky.So "*She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience.Consider this: " But the structure is "consider + object + complement". " That fits.
Let me continue naturally from "*She considers" to complete that sentence, then transition out of point 1, maybe to point 2, or just conclude the Nuances section.
The user wants a proper conclusion at the end. I should structure the continuation logically, then add a conclusion paragraph that wraps up the article about "consider" The details matter here..
I need to make sure I don't repeat previous text. So I'll start right after "*She considers", complete the thought, finish the Nuances section (maybe just point 1 since it was cut, or add point 2 naturally), and then write a conclusion.
Let me draft:
... *She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience.That said, , expressing a firm judgment rather than an ongoing thought process. This distinction highlights how the choice of complement shapes whether consider functions as a verb of active deliberation or one of established opinion That's the part that actually makes a difference..
- Scope of Application
- When consider is paired with a noun or gerund, it often leaves the decision open-ended, inviting further evaluation.
- When paired with an object and complement
Here's a thinking process:
- Analyze User Input:
- User wants me to continue an article without friction.
- Constraints:
- Do not repeat previous text.
- Finish with a proper conclusion.
- Likely need to complete the "*She considers" section (probably the Nuances section mentioned).
- Add a proper conclusion.
- Logical continuation.
- Identify the Missing Piece:
- The prompt starts with: "ntinue logically) - Possibly complete the Nuances section - Add a proper conclusion - Not repeat previous text"
- There's a pattern given: "*She considers" and then examples about "Consider + object + complement" vs "Consider + complement".
- The user provides context: "She is considering taking a gap year. (still thinking)" and the contrast is "Consider + object + as + complement expresses a settled opinion". So "*She considers taking a gap year a bold move." or similar.
- The user wants me to continue from "*She considers" naturally, complete that sentence, finish the Nuances section, and add a conclusion. All without repeating previous text.
- Determine the Goal:
- I need to output a continuation that starts after "*She considers", completes the thought, moves through the Nuances section (likely covering the grammatical point), and ends with a conclusion paragraph about the word "consider" or the article's theme.
- Must not repeat the previous text (which I don't have verbatim, but I know the context from the prompt).
- Must finish with a "proper conclusion".
- Draft - Step-by-Step:
Starting point: "*She considers" Complete the sentence based on the pattern: The pattern is "Consider + object + complement" (without "as") vs "Consider + object + as + complement". The user says: "*She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience." or similar. I'll use: "*She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience., signaling a definitive stance rather than a tentative intention."
Then continue the Nuances section: I should elaborate on the grammatical distinction, maybe add a point 2 about usage frequency, registers, or contrast with other verbs. Keep it concise and logical.
Then the conclusion: Summarize the key takeaway about "consider" and how language choices shape meaning Simple, but easy to overlook..
Let draft:
"*She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience., expressing a settled judgment rather than an ongoing mental process. This subtle shift in structure—adding the complement after the gerund—transforms consider from a verb of deliberation into one of established opinion.
- Nuances in Usage Beyond the core grammatical pattern, consider reveals interesting flexibility depending on context. When followed directly by a noun or gerund without a complement, it often implies the decision remains open, inviting further thought or discussion. To give you an idea, “He is considering the options leaves the outcome uncertain, whereas “He considers the options favorable closes the loop with a valuation. This contrast makes consider a useful marker for speakers who want to signal whether a choice is still being weighed or has already been mentally resolved. Additionally, the verb’s compatibility with abstract complements—adjectives, noun phrases, or even full clauses—allows it to function across formal writing, casual speech, and literary tone, adjusting its weight accordingly."
Conclusion: "In sum, the structure following consider is more than a grammatical afterthought; it’s a precise tool for conveying certainty versus openness. Whether someone says ‘I’m considering leaving’ or ‘I consider leaving a bold move,’ the choice of complement silently dictates the listener’s expectation of finality or flexibility. Understanding this nuance empowers more intentional communication, letting speakers accurately frame their thoughts as tentative explorations or firm convictions."
- Self-Check/Refine:
- Does it start smoothly from "*She considers"? Yes, I completed that sentence.
- Does it complete the Nuances section? Yes, I added point 2 and expanded on nuances.
- Does it finish with a proper conclusion? Yes, a conclusion paragraph is included.
- Is any previous text repeated? I need to make sure I'm not copying the user's prompt text. The user gave context, but my output should be fresh. I'll avoid repeating the exact examples given unless necessary, but the pattern is fine to use as inspiration. I'll make sure the wording is original.
- Logical flow? Yes: complete the sentence -> explain nuance -> conclude.
One thing: The user said "Continue the article without friction. " and gave an outline. Which means do not repeat previous text. Finish with a proper conclusion.I'll output just the continuation/conclusion, starting right after the implied cutoff. I'll make sure not to quote the user's prompt text verbatim in my output.
Let me structure the final output clearly. I'll start with completing the sentence, then the nuances, then conclusion. I'll keep it polished.
Draft final output:
"*She considers taking a gap year a rewarding experience., marking a shift from tentative intention to firm conviction. This grammatical pivot—placing a complement directly after the gerund—signals that the speaker has moved beyond weighing options and has already assigned value to the action Surprisingly effective..
Short version: it depends. Long version — keep reading.
Nuances in Function and Meaning The choice of complement after consider does more than complete a sentence; it frames the speaker’s intent. When consider is used without a following complement, as in “*She is considering taking a gap year
Continuing the Exploration of Consider’s Subtlety
When the complement follows the gerund, the speaker’s stance becomes explicit, shifting the construction from a mere possibility to an evaluated proposition. This pivot is not merely syntactic; it signals a mental act of appraisal that can be as subtle as a whisper or as decisive as a declaration, depending on how the complement is shaped.
Nuances in Function and Meaning
1. Complement Type Shapes Intent
The nature of what follows consider after the gerund—whether an adjective, a noun phrase, or an entire clause—directs the listener’s perception of the speaker’s readiness to commit.
- Adjectival complements (e.g., “She considers learning coding challenging”) often convey an evaluative judgment, suggesting the speaker has already weighed the difficulty and arrived at a conclusion.
- Noun‑phrase complements (e.g., “He considers adopting a cat a long‑term responsibility”) attach a label that frames the action within a broader context, indicating a settled view of its implications.
- Clausal complements (e.g., “They consider moving to the suburbs if the schools improve”) embed a conditional outlook, preserving a degree of openness while still signaling that the option has been seriously examined.
2. Tense and Aspect Influence Perceived Commitment
The verb’s interaction with tense markers can subtly alter the sense of finality It's one of those things that adds up..
- Present‑simple complements (“
Present‑simple complements (“She considers the plan flawed”) project an air of current, settled judgment, as though the evaluation exists in a timeless present.
- Past‑tense or perfect complements (“She considered the plan flawed”; “She has considered the plan flawed”) distance the assessment, framing it as a concluded episode or a retrospective insight rather than an active stance.
- Progressive forms (“She is considering the plan flawed”) are rare and often sound marked, suggesting a judgment in the process of forming—an evaluation still soft at the edges.
3. Negation and Modality Fine‑Tune Commitment
Inserting negation or modal verbs between consider and its complement introduces calibrated degrees of certainty That's the part that actually makes a difference. That alone is useful..
- “She doesn’t consider the risk significant” negates the valuation itself, not merely the act of considering.
- “She might consider the offer generous” wraps the judgment in epistemic possibility, signaling that the speaker has not yet anchored the appraisal.
- “She would consider the move wise (if…)” places the evaluation in a hypothetical frame, preserving contingency while still treating the complement as a coherent value judgment.
4. Register and Tone Signal Social Stance
The construction’s formality shifts with the complement’s weight and the surrounding diction Which is the point..
- In academic or legal prose, heavy noun‑phrase complements dominate: “The court considers the precedent binding authority.” The structure conveys institutional finality.
- In conversational English, lighter adjectival complements prevail: “I consider that unfair.” The brevity mirrors the spontaneity of spoken judgment.
- Literary or rhetorical contexts may exploit the construction for irony or understatement: “He considered his ruin a minor inconvenience.” The mismatch between gravity of event and lightness of complement creates tension.
5. Cross‑Linguistic Perspectives Reveal Conceptual Mapping
Languages vary in how they encode the “consider + object + complement” relation, illuminating what speakers treat as a single cognitive act Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
- Romance languages often require a preposition or subjunctive clause (French considérer comme, Spanish considerar que), making the evaluative link more explicit.
- Germanic languages mirror English closely (German betrachten als, Dutch considereren als), but may prefer a predicative adjective without a particle (er hält es für wichtig).
- East Asian languages frequently use serial verb constructions or topic‑comment structures (Japanese kangaeru + to, Mandarin rènwéi + shì), collapsing the complement into the main predicate.
These differences are not merely translational; they reflect whether a culture grammaticizes evaluation as a transitive act (consider X Y) or as a clausal proposition (consider that X is Y).
Conclusion
The verb consider does far more than introduce a topic for thought. Each syntactic choice marks a waypoint on that trajectory: the bare gerund holds possibility in suspension; the adjectival complement stamps a value; the clausal complement embeds conditionality; the negated or modalized form calibrates certainty. Even so, through the architecture of its complements—gerunds, infinitives, adjectives, noun phrases, clauses—it maps the speaker’s mental trajectory from open inquiry to settled appraisal. Register, tense, and cross‑linguistic variation further shade the picture, reminding us that grammar is not a neutral scaffold but a record of how speakers negotiate knowledge, authority, and commitment.
This is where a lot of people lose the thread.
To master consider is to learn a subtle instrument of intellectual honesty. It lets us say, with precision, “I have weighed this, and here is where the balance rests”—or, just as importantly, “I am still weighing it, and here is what the scale shows so far.” In a world that often demands instant opinions, the grammar of consider preserves the space for deliberation, one complement at a time Not complicated — just consistent..