consult

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'consult' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to seek advice or information from somebody, or to discuss something with somebody. For example: "Before making any decisions, I consulted with my advisor."

✓ 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

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "seek advice from" or "confer with" for enhanced readability.

Common error

Avoid using "consult" in very informal contexts where simpler words like "ask" or "talk to" would be more appropriate. Using overly formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consult" is as a verb, indicating the act of seeking advice, information, or professional services. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "consult" is a versatile verb frequently employed to describe the act of seeking advice, information, or engaging in discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When using "consult", remember to tailor your language to the context, avoiding overly formal language in casual settings. Consider alternative phrases like "seek advice from" or "confer with" to add variety to your writing. Understanding its function and purpose will greatly improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek advice from

Focuses on the act of actively seeking guidance from a knowledgeable source.

confer with

Suggests a formal discussion or meeting to exchange views.

seek counsel from

Similar to seeking advice, but implies a more formal or serious matter.

ask for guidance from

Specifically requests direction or advice.

take advice from

Emphasizes the act of receiving and considering advice.

get feedback from

Seeks opinions and reactions to improve or refine something.

refer to

Focuses on directing attention to a specific source for information.

have a discussion with

Highlights the interactive exchange of ideas and information.

talk with

A general term for discussing something with someone, but doesn't necessarily imply seeking advice.

touch base with

An informal way to say "discuss something briefly with someone."

FAQs

How to use "consult" in a sentence?

You can use "consult" to describe seeking advice or information, as in "I need to consult a doctor about my health issues". It can also mean discussing something with someone, as in "Let's consult with the team before making a final decision".

What can I say instead of "consult"?

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

Which is correct, "consult with" or "consult"?

Both "consult with" and "consult" are correct. "Consult with" emphasizes the interactive aspect of seeking advice or discussing with someone, while "consult" can be used when simply referring to seeking advice from a source. For example, "I will consult with my lawyer" or "I will consult a legal guide".

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

"Consult" means to seek advice or information from someone, while "advise" means to give advice to someone. You "consult" someone to get their opinion, and they "advise" you based on their knowledge and experience.