he consulted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he consulted with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone seeks advice or information from another person or group. Example: "Before making a final decision, he consulted with his team to gather their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He consulted with headhunters.

The New Yorker

He consulted with everybody".

The New Yorker

He consulted with fellow-clergymen.

The New Yorker

He consulted with Miss Nenmini.

The New York Times

He consulted with pacifist Quakers.

The New York Times

He consulted with one of his colleagues.

The New Yorker

Unsatisfied, he consulted with music historians.

The New York Times

He consulted with someone, returned to the phone and said.

The New Yorker

He consulted with me but could not deliver anything..

The New Yorker

He consulted with several colleagues, who confirmed his findings.

The Guardian

He consulted with me but could not deliver anything...

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he consulted with" when you want to emphasize that someone sought advice or information from an expert or another person before making a decision or taking action.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he consulted with" can sometimes be written in a more direct and active voice. Instead of "he consulted with experts", consider "he sought expert advice" for a more concise phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he consulted with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of seeking advice or information. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a situation where someone seeks guidance from another person or group. This is clearly supported by the example sentences where individuals are consulting with experts, colleagues, or family members.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he consulted with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone seeking advice or information from another party. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples where it's used to show a process of seeking counsel before a decision. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "he conferred with" might be suitable, while casual contexts could use "he talked with". While versatile, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider more direct phrasing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he sought advice from

Focuses more on the act of seeking advice rather than a collaborative discussion.

he took counsel from

Implies receiving guidance or direction.

he conferred with

Suggests a more formal and deliberate discussion or meeting.

he sought the opinion of

Emphasizes gathering viewpoints before a decision.

he had a discussion with

Highlights the dialogic nature of the interaction.

he got input from

Focuses on the act of receiving information or ideas from someone.

he talked with

A more general term for having a conversation, not necessarily for advice.

he got feedback from

Highlights the aspect of receiving evaluation or reactions.

he picked the brains of

An informal expression meaning to extract knowledge or ideas.

he touched base with

An informal phrase suggesting a brief check-in or conversation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he consulted with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "he conferred with" or "he sought advice from". These options convey a greater sense of deliberation and expertise.

What are some alternatives to "he consulted with" for a casual context?

In less formal situations, you might use phrases such as "he talked with", "he got input from", or "he touched base with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "with" after "consulted"?

While "he consulted with" is a common construction, you can also say "he consulted [person/expert]" without "with". The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence.

What's the difference between "he consulted with" and "he advised"?

"He consulted with" implies that he sought advice from someone, whereas "he advised" means he gave advice to someone else. The direction of the advice is reversed in these two phrases.