to consult with

USAGE SUMMARY

"to consult with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that means to "discuss something with someone" or to "seek advice from someone". For example: "I need to consult with my doctor before making any major decisions about my health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I would have to consult with them".

The New Yorker

I have to consult with him first".

The New York Times

Another is to consult with experience.

The New York Times

"You'd have to consult with your lawyer".

The New York Times

We would have to consult with Preservation.

Yale University

We will continue to consult with all key stakeholders".

The Guardian

Apparently, though, Reid forgot to consult with other Democrats.

The Guardian - Opinion

I want to consult with boards on corporate governance issues.

The New York Times - Magazine

They went to Japan to consult with the experts there.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Therefore, DSH made use of the tacit rule loans to consult with the material supplier.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

It also requires Fordham to consult with the community as the plans progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to consult with", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is providing the advice or expertise. For clarity, specify the person or group being consulted.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "to consult with" in a way that obscures who is taking the action. Instead of "Advice was consulted with the expert", write "We consulted with the expert for advice."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to consult with" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of seeking advice or guidance from someone. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable. It emphasizes an interaction or discussion with someone to get their opinion or expertise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to consult with" is a phrasal verb widely used to indicate seeking advice or discussing matters with someone, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and appropriate in a variety of settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, demonstrating its versatility. While alternatives like "seek advice from" and "confer with" exist, "to consult with" effectively conveys the action of seeking guidance from another party. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding who is being consulted and avoiding passive voice constructions are key best practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek advice from

Focuses on the act of getting advice, removing the dialog aspect.

discuss with

Emphasizes the discussion aspect, less formal than seeking counsel.

confer with

Implies a more formal and structured discussion or meeting.

take counsel from

Highlights the act of receiving guidance from someone.

get input from

Focuses on receiving opinions or ideas.

seek guidance from

Emphasizes the search for direction or advice.

touch base with

Less formal, means to briefly communicate with someone.

talk things over with

Informal; suggests a relaxed and comprehensive discussion.

brainstorm with

Implies a collaborative generation of ideas.

liaise with

Suggests establishing a working relationship for communication.

FAQs

How can I use "to consult with" in a sentence?

Use "to consult with" to indicate seeking advice or discussing something with someone. For example, "I need "to consult with" a lawyer before signing the contract."

What is a more formal alternative to "to consult with"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "confer with" or "seek advice from" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "to consult" and "to consult with"?

While "to consult" is often sufficient, ""to consult with"" emphasizes the interaction or discussion with a specific person or group. "To consult" can be more general.

What are some situations where it's appropriate to use "to consult with"?

It's appropriate to use ""to consult with"" when seeking expert opinions, discussing important decisions, or needing guidance from someone knowledgeable. This applies in professional, academic, and personal contexts.