Cool MateBelieve vs Consider
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Believe
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Consider
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Believe | Consider | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈliːv/","/bɪˈliːvz/","/bɪˈliːvd/","/bɪˈliːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈliːv/","/bɪˈliːvz/","/bɪˈliːvd/","/bɪˈliːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kənˈsɪdə//🇺🇸 //kənˈsɪdər// |
| Meaning | to think that something is true | To think about something carefully. |
| Example | I believe in fairytales. | I will consider your suggestion. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | deeply, fervently, firmly, cannot, be hard to, give somebody to, can hardly believe something, can scarcely believe something, not believe a word of something, deeply, fervently, firmly, cannot, be hard to, give somebody to, can hardly believe something, can scarcely believe something, not believe a word of something, deeply, fervently, firmly, cannot, be hard to, give somebody to, can hardly believe something, can scarcely believe something, not believe a word of something | consider carefully, consider an option, consider a possibility |
| Antonyms | deny, doubt | ignore, dismiss, overlook |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'believe in' (which means to trust in the existence or value of something)., Using 'believe' without an object (e.g., 'I believe.' should specify what)., Mixing 'believe' with 'think' when conveying certainty (they have slight differences). | Confuse with 'considering' which is a different form., Omit the object, e.g., saying 'Consider' without specifying what., Mix with 'contemplate', which has a deeper meaning. |
| Usage notes | Most often used in statements of faith or trust. Avoid in formal writing when expressing doubt; instead, use 'consider' or 'regard'. | Use 'consider' when you are thinking about options or possibilities. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Believe vs Consider
What's the difference between Believe and Consider?
Believe: to think that something is true Consider: To think about something carefully.
Which is more advanced: Believe and Consider?
Consider is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Believe and Consider the same CEFR level?
Believe: A1, Consider: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Believe and Consider?
Believe: verb, Consider: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Believe: I believe in fairytales. Consider: I will consider your suggestion.
Can I use Believe and Consider interchangeably?
Not always. Believe and Consider are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.