Cool MateConsider vs Contemplate vs Look down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consider
Contemplate
Look down
| Consider | Contemplate | Look down | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈsɪdə//🇺🇸 //kənˈsɪdər// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊk daʊn//🇺🇸 //lʊk daʊn// |
| Meaning | To think about something carefully. | To think deeply about something. | To feel superior to someone or something. |
| Example | I will consider your suggestion. | She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park. | She tends to look down on people who don't share her interests. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | consider carefully, consider an option, consider a possibility | seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate, seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate, seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate | look down on, look down upon, look down at |
| Antonyms | ignore, dismiss, overlook | ignore, disregard, dismiss | admire, respect, honor |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confused with 'compliment' or 'contemplate' due to similar sounds., Using intransitively (e.g., 'I contemplate' without specifying what)., Overusing in informal contexts where simpler words like 'think' may be better. | 'Look down' used without 'on' in expressions., Confusing 'look down on' with 'look up to'., Incorrectly using 'look down at' instead of 'look down on'. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It’s appropriate when discussing serious topics or decisions. Avoid using it in lighthearted situations. | Use 'look down on' to express a sense of superiority or disdain towards people or their actions. Avoid in respectful or formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Consider vs Contemplate vs Look down
What's the difference between Consider, Contemplate, and Look down?
Consider: To think about something carefully. Contemplate: To think deeply about something. Look down: To feel superior to someone or something.
Which is more common: Consider, Contemplate, and Look down?
Consider is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Consider, Contemplate, and Look down?
Contemplate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Consider: I will consider your suggestion. Contemplate: She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park. Look down: She tends to look down on people who don't share her interests.
Can I use Consider, Contemplate, and Look down interchangeably?
Not always. Consider, Contemplate, and Look down 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.