consider

Everyday

1. To consider something is to think about it carefully, especially before deciding: «Consider all the answers». tree →
2. To consider someone or something to be something is to think of them that way: «I consider her my best friend». tree →
3. To consider other people is to think about their feelings. tree →
4. (formal) In exams, «consider» means look at and work with: «Consider the triangle ABC». tree →

In the lessons

In maths and exam questions «Consider...» introduces what to look at: «Consider the number 24». In everyday life you consider options before choosing. In PSHE pupils learn to consider others' feelings. «All things considered» means after thinking about everything. Phrases: consider doing, consider it done, all things considered, considering (that).

Examples

• Consider the triangle with sides 3, 4 and 5. tree →
• Have you considered joining the choir? tree →
• I consider him a good friend. tree →
• Please consider other people when you play music loudly. tree →
• All things considered, it was a good day. tree →
• Considering the rain, the trip went well. tree →
• Consider it done! tree →
• Consider what danger you would be in! tree →

Note

Followed by an -ing verb: «consider joining», not «consider to join». Adjective «considerate» means kind to others; «considerable» means quite large — do not mix them up.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, to consider means to think about something carefully. The prophets and Psalms use it as a call to think about one's ways and deeds, and as a prayer that God will pay attention.

Interpretation. Tradition values careful thought about one's actions, which leads to repentance. Haggai's "consider your ways" is a call to look at one's life and return to God.

Examples

• And thou shalt consider in thy heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. (Torah DEU.8.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask thy father, and he will declare unto thee, thine elders, and they will tell thee. (Torah DEU.32.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• I therefore hope that the candid reader will consider the great difficulties I had to overcome in this still unbeaten way of the ancient Jewish spiritual region, and will receive with indulgence this new contribution to archaeological knowledge. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• Consider, and afterwards we will speak. (Writings JOB.18.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. (Prophets HAG.1.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. (Writings PSA.5.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Followed by an -ing verb: «consider joining», not «consider to join». Adjective «considerate» means kind to others; «considerable» means quite large — do not mix them up.