we consulted with

USAGE SUMMARY

"we consulted with" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it when describing a situation in which a group of people discussed and sought advice from one another on a certain topic. For example: "We consulted with each other before making a decision on how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And throughout this process we consulted with Congress.

The New York Times

We consulted with you over Afghanistan and even Iraq.

The Economist

"We have a lot of gay friends we consulted with," Mr. Barnes said.

The New York Times

"We consulted with them, but without their really knowing about what we had in mind," Mr. Card said.

The New York Times

"In sending out those subpoenas, we consulted with the S.E.C. in making a determination as to where they should go".

The New York Times

"We consulted with our lawyers, and they said the worst that could happen is that local election officials would reject them," said Jim Brenner, the group's executive director.

The New York Times

"Before printing, we consulted with the church officials," Marek Switalski of the post office marketing department told the PAP news agency.

The New York Times

A spokesman for Fortnum & Mason said: "In July 2015, we consulted with staff and implemented a new, dynamic and fair tronc system.

The Guardian - Business

"Before we held the ceremony, we consulted with a number of other white experts, and we all agreed that Andrew Jackson was great," she said.

The New Yorker

"We consulted with tournament organisers ERC [European Rugby Cup] and Scottish Rugby throughout this process, and both are happy with our decision".

The Guardian - Sport

"They can cause long delays to operations so we consulted with a turtle specialist to find the best way to help them," the spokesman added.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice (e.g. we consulted experts) unless passive is specifically needed (e.g. experts were consulted).

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "experts were consulted with", as it can sound awkward. A more direct approach, such as "we consulted experts", is often clearer and more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we consulted with" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of seeking advice or guidance from a specific party. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in written English to express that a group or individual sought expertise or opinions from another party before making a decision or taking action. This is verifiable looking at the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we consulted with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse contexts, as Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it denotes the action of seeking advice or guidance, thereby showcasing transparency and diligence. While alternatives like "we sought advice from" or ""we conferred with"" offer subtle nuances, "we consulted with" remains a clear and effective way to communicate the act of seeking expert opinions. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify the expertise or relevance of those consulted to enhance credibility. Overuse of passive voice should be avoided for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we sought advice from

Focuses on the act of actively seeking guidance.

we conferred with

Implies a more formal and collaborative discussion.

we sought input from

Emphasizes the gathering of opinions and perspectives.

we collaborated with

Highlights a cooperative working relationship.

we liaised with

Suggests a connection for communication and coordination.

we engaged with

Focuses on the act of involving someone in a discussion.

we talked with

Simple, direct alternative indicating a conversation.

we had discussions with

Emphasizes the occurrence of multiple conversations.

we took counsel from

Highlights the act of receiving advice from a trusted source.

we got feedback from

Focuses on receiving reactions and opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "we consulted with" in a sentence?

You can use "we consulted with" to indicate that advice or guidance was sought from someone. For example, "We consulted with experts before making the decision."

What is a formal alternative to "we consulted with"?

A more formal alternative to "we consulted with" could be "we conferred with", which implies a more structured and collaborative discussion.

Is it better to say "we consulted with" or "we consulted"?

While both are grammatically correct, "we consulted with" specifies that there was interaction and advice sought from someone else. "We consulted" implies a review or examination. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "we consulted with" and "we collaborated with"?

"We consulted with" suggests seeking advice or guidance, while "we collaborated with" indicates a joint effort to achieve a common goal. The former is advisory, while the latter is participatory.