Deliberate on it

USAGE SUMMARY

"Deliberate on it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the act of carefully considering or thinking about a particular issue or topic. Example: "Before making a decision, I need to deliberate on it." Alternative expressions include "Reflect on it" and "Consider it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"But they won't even get down to beginning to deliberate on it probably for another month.

The New York Times

All she got back was an answering legal brief from deputies with more citations of laws and policies, bland assurances of how seriously they'd considered her plea, how earnestly they recognized the problem, how deeply they intended to deliberate on it and how little they could do.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After all three of them reviewed this material, and deliberated on it for some time, Perpetrator 2 angrily crumpled and ripped up the letter from my doctor.

TechCrunch

My first instinct on the topic, at the very first time I really deliberated on it, was that of a skeptic.

Huffington Post

According to an AMA spokesperson, the AMA spoke with both sides of the aisle on a variety of matters, including prescription drugs, but ultimately made their decision because they reviewed the bill and deliberated on it.

Huffington Post

The monarchy has few defenders left, and the assembly's first task will be to deliberate on abolishing it and turning this country into a republic.

The New York Times

The committee begins deliberating on Wednesday morning.

The New York Times

His most noted achievement was convoking the local Cortes (assembly) and having it deliberate on a choice of Roman and medieval laws for Catalonia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"As we deliberate on how to respond, it is essential to be cautious, and to be pragmatic – and yet to use every weapon at our disposal".

The Guardian

Any assertion within his statement is material: where, as here, the government's proof hinges on a defendant's statement, the jury must be entitled to deliberate on the statement as it was made to law enforcement, without modification.

Huffington Post

But the new money has languished in city coffers for months, as officials continue to deliberate on exactly how to spend it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for contexts where the thinking process is intentional and thorough rather than a fleeting thought

Common error

Do not confuse the verb phrase with the adjective use of "deliberate" followed by a preposition. For example, in the sentence "It was deliberate on his part," the word "deliberate" is an adjective meaning intentional. When you want to express the act of thinking, ensure you are using it as a verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Deliberate on it" functions as a transitive verb phrase where the verb "deliberate" is followed by the prepositional object "on it". In this structure, "deliberate" acts as the head of the phrase, signifying a purposeful mental action. According to Ludwig, it is often used in the infinitive form to indicate a future or required action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Deliberate on it" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of careful, often formal, consideration. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it is a staple in journalism and professional writing, particularly when referring to committees, juries, or officials who must weigh various factors before reaching a conclusion. While it is more formal than "think about it", its precision makes it indispensable in contexts where the depth of thought is as important as the decision itself. Ludwig AI notes its frequent appearance in Tier 1 publications, underscoring its reliability for writers seeking a serious and authoritative tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reflect on it

Suggests a more personal or introspective type of consideration

Ponder it

Implies a slower and perhaps more imaginative or philosophical thought process

Consider it

A more neutral and versatile alternative suitable for any context

Contemplate it

Carries a higher level of formality and suggests a deeper level of focus

Mull it over

An idiomatic and slightly less formal way to say one needs time to think

Think it through

Emphasizes the logical analysis and potential consequences of a decision

Weigh it

Focuses on the evaluation of pros and cons or comparing options

Ruminate on it

Often implies a repetitive or obsessive type of thinking

Give it some thought

A common conversational expression that is less formal

Examine it

Shifts the focus toward a more objective or analytical inspection

FAQs

How do I use "Deliberate on it" in a sentence?

You can use it to show that a decision is being carefully weighed. For example: "The committee needs more time to "deliberate on it" before voting".

What can I say instead of "Deliberate on it"?

Depending on the tone, you can use alternatives like "reflect on it", "consider it", or "mull it over".

Which is more formal, "Deliberate on it" or "Think about it"?

"Deliberate on it" is significantly more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts, whereas "think about it" is the standard conversational choice.

Is "Deliberate on it" always correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency in reputable publications like The New York Times and The Guardian.