Cool MateConsider vs Guess what
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Consider
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Guess what
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ConsiderMost common: Consider
| Consider | Guess what | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈsɪdə//🇺🇸 //kənˈsɪdər// | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛs wɒt//🇺🇸 //ɡɛs wɑt// |
| Meaning | To think about something carefully. | A phrase to ask someone to figure something out. |
| Example | I will consider your suggestion. | Guess what! I got the job I applied for! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | consider carefully, consider an option, consider a possibility | guess what happened, guess what I found, guess what she said |
| Antonyms | ignore, dismiss, overlook | ignore, know for certain, disregard |
| 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. | Using it in formal situations., Forgetting to follow up with the surprise., Omitting 'what' and saying just 'guess'. |
| 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 to introduce surprising or interesting news. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Consider vs Guess what
What's the difference between Consider and Guess what?
Consider: To think about something carefully. Guess what: A phrase to ask someone to figure something out.
Which is more formal: Consider and Guess what?
Consider is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Consider and Guess what?
Consider is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Consider: I will consider your suggestion. Guess what: Guess what! I got the job I applied for!
Can I use Consider and Guess what interchangeably?
Not always. Consider and Guess what 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.