consider whether to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'consider whether to' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase 'consider whether to' when you want to say that a person or group is thinking about two possible choices or courses of action, and needs to make a decision between them. For example: The management team must consider whether to invest in new equipment or hire additional staff to meet increased production demands.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The group would consider whether to appeal.

The Guardian - Business

Now regulators must consider whether to add cholesterol-lowering medication to that list.

The New York Times

The court will again consider whether to hear the case at its private conference on Friday.

The New York Times

On September 26th, the Court is set to consider whether to hear Hamm's case.

The New Yorker

Chicago officials will consider whether to expand the program once they review its results.

The New York Times - Books

But you also need to consider whether to abandon the game.

The Guardian - Sport

"We will continue to consider whether to take legal action against France.

The Guardian

And we had to consider whether to do it in a theatrical or musical environment.

The Guardian - Music

The police and transit officials will consider whether to continue or expand the operation, he said.

The New York Times

For their part, government officials continue to consider whether to bring further legal appeals.

The New York Times

It will consider whether to ban BNP members from becoming teachers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "consider whether to" with a verb phrase that clearly outlines the potential action or decision being contemplated. For instance, "consider whether to invest", "consider whether to appeal", or "consider whether to modify".

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "consider whether to" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "evaluate", "assess", or "determine" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consider whether to" functions as an introductory element to a clause expressing deliberation or contemplation regarding a future action or decision. Ludwig shows many examples in which different entities are contemplating a future possible action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consider whether to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of deliberating or evaluating a future action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples, predominantly from news sources, indicating its frequent use in journalistic and formal contexts. When writing, ensure you clearly state the options being weighed and remember to vary your language to avoid repetition. With a neutral register, "consider whether to" fits seamlessly into both formal and informal communication, making it a versatile tool for expressing contemplation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaluate whether to

Replaces "consider" with "evaluate", suggesting a more formal and structured assessment.

assess whether to

Using "assess" instead of "consider" implies a more thorough and analytical judgment.

contemplate whether to

Substituting "consider" with "contemplate" suggests a more thoughtful and prolonged reflection.

determine whether to

Substituting "consider" with "determine" suggests a stronger focus on reaching a definitive conclusion.

decide whether to

Replaces "consider" with "decide", indicating a shift from contemplation to action.

weigh up whether to

Replaces "consider" with "weigh up", indicating a careful balancing of different factors.

think about whether to

Using "think about" instead of "consider" is a more informal and general way to express contemplation.

explore whether to

Replaces "consider" with "explore", indicating an open-minded approach to discovering possibilities.

reflect on whether to

Using "reflect on" implies a deeper, more introspective consideration.

investigate whether to

Substituting "consider" with "investigate" suggests a detailed inquiry before making a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "consider whether to" in a sentence?

Use "consider whether to" to express the act of contemplating or evaluating a decision, such as "The committee must "consider whether to approve" the new proposal."

What are some alternatives to "consider whether to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "evaluate whether to", "assess whether to", or "determine whether to", which offer similar meanings but with slightly different nuances.

Is it more formal to say "consider whether to" or "think about whether to"?

"Consider whether to" is generally more formal than "think about whether to", which is more suitable for casual conversation. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing or speaking context.

What's the difference between "consider whether to" and "decide whether to"?

"Consider whether to" implies a period of contemplation and evaluation, while "decide whether to" indicates that a decision-making process has already occurred or is about to conclude. Therefore, you "consider whether to act" before you "decide whether to act".