we could consider

USAGE SUMMARY

"we could consider" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest a course of action or to introduce an idea for consideration. For example, "We could consider increasing the office budget to accommodate more staff".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We could consider lots of possible defections, but let's just consider the obvious defection.

Yale University

But actually, we could consider this model more generally, and let's just do so briefly here.

Yale University

And we could consider, for example, just simply dividing the modulator output by this.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He'd have to do something before we could consider him bad at it".

The New York Times - Arts

"If all possibilities for influencing the situation have been exhausted, we could consider international sanctions".

The New York Times

"Those are steps we could consider in the future," said the administration official.

The New York Times

Hugh Bonneville: Maybe we could consider some new jokes for series three?

Independent

Business can help with data collection and measurement - for example we could consider using telecommunication companies for data gathering.

The Guardian

But it was only because the show didn't get picked up that we realised we could consider him.

The Guardian - Film

We could consider whether our infrastructure development really considers the availability of housing, future technologies, and long-term job creation.

The Guardian

We could consider such long-term, harmless policies as taxing consumption or enforcing a rigorous national education curriculum.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we could consider" to introduce suggestions or possibilities, especially when collaborating or presenting options. This phrasing softens the introduction of an idea, making it less assertive and more open to discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "we could consider" repeatedly without providing concrete steps or further analysis. Ensure that suggestions are followed by investigation or evaluation to maintain credibility and show genuine interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we could consider" primarily functions as a hedged suggestion or a tentative proposal. It introduces an idea or action for potential evaluation, softening the assertiveness of a direct recommendation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we could consider" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for introducing suggestions and proposals in a variety of contexts. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage spans from academic and scientific discussions to news reports and business communications. The phrase serves to soften recommendations, encourage discussion, and open up possibilities for consideration. While versatile, it's essential to follow through with concrete steps or further analysis to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "we might think about" or "we may contemplate" offer subtle variations in the degree of tentativeness or thoughtfulness. Ultimately, "we could consider" remains a valuable tool for collaborative decision-making and exploring potential solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we might think about

Suggests a slightly more tentative consideration of an idea.

we may contemplate

Implies a more thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

we can explore

Focuses on the investigation and examination of a topic.

we should evaluate

Emphasizes the need to assess the value or merit of something.

let's entertain the idea of

Suggests a willingness to give an idea some thought, even if it seems unlikely.

we can take into account

Highlights the inclusion of something in a decision-making process.

it's worth pondering

Implies the subject is deserving of deeper reflection.

we propose to examine

Suggests a formal and systematic investigation.

we intend to review

Focuses on critically appraising something.

we are open to discussing

Indicates a willingness to consider different viewpoints and ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "we could consider" in a sentence?

Use "we could consider" to introduce a potential action, idea, or solution. For example, "We could consider "a new marketing strategy" to boost sales".

What are some alternatives to "we could consider"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "we might think about", "we may contemplate", or "we can explore".

Is it correct to say "we could to consider" instead of "we could consider"?

No, "we could to consider" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "we could consider", where "could" is a modal verb followed by the base form of the verb "consider".

What's the difference between "we could consider" and "we should consider"?

"We could consider" presents a suggestion as one of several possibilities, while "we should consider" implies a stronger recommendation or obligation.