Consult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Consult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to seek information or guidance from a source or expert. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please consult with your supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Already academics asked to host a distinguished professor of political Islam first consult the police, and are told that this everyday university event requires a strong police presence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Invitations to consult, or to No 10 dinners, were virtually non-existent.

The Guardian

Ministers promise to consult on the introduction of a visa levy on businesses that recruit overseas labour to fund extra apprenticeships for British and EU workers.

The Guardian

Gingrich vowed to remain in the race but he is expected to consult with his financial backers.

The Guardian

However, the Community Standards, which the moderators are responsible for enforcing, are set centrally, although we consult with the senior editorial team when revising them.

The Guardian

Deloitte has said that Comet made "significant efforts" to consult with staff ahead of the redundancies.

The Guardian - Business

If they are risk-averse, too slow, or fail to consult others, their ego, rather than the needs of the charity and its people, are dominating their judgement.

The Guardian

But if you're struggling with creative block, why not seek help from outside your sector? Consult with friends who may work in private sector marketing, or even contact a marketing agency who often have reasonable consultative rates for universities.

The Guardian

He adds that he did consult the office bearers of the Scottish Labour party over the change.

The Guardian

Had Ellis bothered to consult a lawyer, he would have quickly learned that the law did not respect this distinction.

The Guardian - Books

"We would consult with copyright holders and the general public to establish an appropriate length, but believe copyright terms should be shorter than they are at present in order to reduce restrictions on our shared cultural heritage," a Green party spokesman said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consult", be specific about the source or expert you are advising someone to seek information from. For example, instead of saying "consult someone", specify "consult a lawyer" or "consult a doctor".

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when it's clearer and more direct to use the active voice. Instead of "The manual should be consulted", write "Consult the manual".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consult" is as a verb, used to describe the act of seeking advice or information from a person or source. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "consult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's primarily employed to describe the action of seeking advice or information and is versatile across both formal and informal communication. While commonly found in News & Media, it's important to specify the source when advising someone to "consult". Remember to use active voice for clarity and precision. This guide provides insights into its usage, alternatives, and common errors to avoid ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek advice from

Focuses on the act of obtaining guidance or recommendations.

seek counsel

Emphasizes seeking advice from someone knowledgeable or experienced.

refer to

Suggests directing attention to a specific source for information.

take advice from

Highlights the act of accepting and implementing guidance.

confer with

Implies a discussion or meeting to exchange ideas and opinions.

seek expert opinion

Specifically refers to getting an opinion from a subject matter expert.

get a second opinion

Indicates seeking another perspective, typically after receiving an initial assessment.

seek input from

Focuses on gathering contributions or perspectives from others.

look up information

Suggests searching for details in a reference material.

have recourse to

Implies seeking assistance or a solution from a particular source.

FAQs

How can I use "consult" in a sentence?

You can use "consult" to advise someone to seek information or guidance from a source or expert. For example, "If you have questions about the project, please consult with your supervisor."

What are some alternatives to "consult"?

You can use alternatives like "seek advice from", "refer to", or "confer with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "consult with" or just "consult"?

Both "consult" and "consult with" are correct. Using "consult with" often emphasizes the collaborative aspect of seeking advice or information.

What's the difference between "consult" and "advise"?

"Consult" means to seek information or guidance, while "advise" means to offer information or guidance. You consult someone to get advice, and someone advises you by giving advice.