deliberate on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberate on" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to describe the action of thinking long and carefully about something. For example, "My teacher asked us to deliberate on the meaning of the poem before answering the questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Duchamp would work and deliberate on one piece for nearly ten years.

Huffington Post

Which, it turns out, is entirely deliberate on Craig's part.

The Guardian - Sport

They deliberate on Twitter, Mumble (a version of Skype), Piratepad (a chatroom) and face to face.

The Economist

The pope refused, and his legates remained at Constantinople to deliberate on his behalf.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And I'm warning them at that point: Fellas, you got 60 days to deliberate on this.

The New York Times

He said that "everything was deliberate on William Gage's Brady's part.

The New Yorker

Whether that was deliberate on Stravinsky's part, or Nijinsky's, is something we'll probably never know.

Independent

And I suspect these similarities are at least partly deliberate on his part.

The Guardian - Music

Now they are stranded in camps in Greece while politicians deliberate on where they can go.

The Guardian

Their task was to deliberate on the respect agenda ahead of a government White Paper.

The Guardian - Opinion

The jury will deliberate on copyright liability before moving on to hear evidence about patent infringement.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliberate on" when you want to emphasize a careful and thoughtful consideration of a topic, often involving discussion or consultation with others.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberate on" when a simpler phrase like "consider" or "think about" will suffice. Overusing "deliberate on" can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberate on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a thorough and careful consideration of a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, demonstrating its role in expressing thoughtful decision-making or analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deliberate on" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a thorough and careful process of consideration. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase sees common usage across varied formal contexts, like "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business", suggesting a register that ranges from neutral to formal. While alternatives like "consider carefully" or "reflect upon" exist, "deliberate on" specifically highlights a deeper and more structured assessment. When writing, it's crucial to use "deliberate on" when you aim to convey a sense of in-depth evaluation of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider carefully

Focuses on the act of careful consideration, omitting the collaborative discussion aspect.

reflect upon

Emphasizes internal thought and contemplation, rather than external discussion.

discuss thoroughly

Highlights the discussion aspect, downplaying the element of careful thought.

give thought to

A more general phrase for considering something, less formal than "deliberate on".

ponder over

Indicates a deeper, often more troubled, consideration.

weigh up

Implies balancing different options or perspectives.

turn over in one's mind

Highlights the repetitive and internal nature of the consideration.

chew over

A more informal way to say think about something carefully.

talk over

Emphasizes the discussion aspect, potentially omitting the need for deep thought.

meditate on

Suggests a more spiritual or philosophical consideration.

FAQs

How do you use "deliberate on" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberate on" to indicate a careful and thorough consideration of a topic. For example, "The committee will "deliberate on" the proposed changes before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "deliberate on"?

Alternatives to "deliberate on" include "consider carefully", "reflect upon", or "discuss thoroughly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "deliberate" or "deliberate on"?

"Deliberate" is used to describe the act of carefully considering something, while "deliberate on" is used when that consideration is focused on a specific subject. For example, "They will deliberate the matter" versus "They will "deliberate on" the proposal".

What is the difference between "discuss" and "deliberate on"?

"Discuss" implies a conversation about a topic, while "deliberate on" suggests a more formal and thoughtful process of considering the various aspects of a topic before making a decision.