give serious thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"give serious thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to think deeply about an idea or a situation. For example, "Before making a decision, you should give serious thought to the possible consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

As it happens, New Orleans is about to give serious thought to hurricanes.

The New York Times

"Someone has to give serious thought to whether there is the potential to reduce dependency on crude oil," said Rahul Singh, an analyst with Citigroup in Mumbai.

The New York Times

Patrick Connolly, a chartered financial planner at adviser Chase de Vere, says: "It is important you give serious thought to how you will take benefits from this.

The Guardian - Money

"It's something we all give serious thought to," said Emily Rafferty, the senior vice president for external affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The New York Times - Arts

For Gore, anyone named Kerry or Kerrey would be fun... Then again, Gore — who changed his position in the Elian Gonzalez affair for the love of Florida — might give serious thought to that state's distinguished senator, Bob Graham.

The New Yorker

"We must give serious thought to the possibility of a break-up, in a similar way to the electricity and gas networks," Mr Gabriel wrote in his FAZ article.Treating Google as an essential facility would be going too far.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Ladies under mattresses who have not thought of facing eternity until awakened give serious thoughts to same.

The New York Times

Americans could drag their eyeballs away from their flat-screen TVs and give serious thoughts to important matters if they wanted to.

The New York Times

But he sounded to me as if he really had given serious thought to his vote.

The New York Times

Mr. Newick began giving serious thought to design in the late 1950s.

The New York Times - Sports

It is time we gave serious thought to the horizontal versus the vertical.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give serious thought", clearly state what the subject of the consideration is. This provides context and ensures the advice is actionable. For example, "You should give serious thought to your long-term career goals."

Common error

While "give serious thought" is generally acceptable, overuse in informal settings can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "think hard about" or "really consider" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give serious thought" functions as a verbal expression used to advise or suggest careful consideration of a particular matter. It encourages a deliberate and thoughtful approach, and Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give serious thought" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to advise or encourage careful consideration. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic writing. While generally neutral to professional in register, it's best to use simpler alternatives in informal settings. Remember to clearly state the subject needing consideration for the advice to be most effective. The frequency and source authority confirm its established presence in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider carefully

Emphasizes the act of thinking about something in a detailed and thorough manner, replacing "give thought" with a more direct verb.

ponder seriously

Replaces "give thought" with "ponder", indicating a thoughtful and reflective consideration.

reflect deeply

Focuses on the introspective aspect of thinking, suggesting a more profound level of consideration than simply "giving thought".

consider at length

Indicates a prolonged and detailed period of consideration.

deliberate thoroughly

Highlights the careful and unhurried nature of the consideration, implying a formal and structured approach.

think hard about

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of intense consideration.

Mull over carefully

Suggests a slow and deliberate process of thinking something over.

weigh carefully

Implies a balancing of different factors or options, suggesting a practical and analytical approach to thinking.

contemplate intently

Stresses the focused and concentrated nature of the thinking process, suggesting a high degree of engagement.

analyze closely

Focuses on a detailed examination and evaluation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "give serious thought" in a sentence?

You can use "give serious thought" to suggest considering something carefully. For example, "The board needs to "consider carefully" the potential risks before investing."

What are some alternatives to "give serious thought"?

Alternatives include "consider carefully", "reflect deeply", or "deliberate thoroughly", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "give serious thought" or "give serious consideration"?

"Give serious thought" and "give serious consideration" are similar, but "give serious thought" often implies a more internal, reflective process. "Give serious consideration" /s/give+serious+consideration might suggest a more external, analytical approach.

When is it appropriate to use "give serious thought"?

It's appropriate to use "give serious thought" in situations where careful deliberation is required, such as making important decisions, planning strategies, or evaluating complex issues. This phrase is fitting for formal and professional settings.