Consider vs Picture that

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Consider

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Picture that

Informal Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Most formal: Consider Most common: Consider

	Consider	Picture that
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //kənˈsɪdə// 🇺🇸 //kənˈsɪdər//	🇬🇧 //ˈpɪk.tʃər ðæt// 🇺🇸 //ˈpɪk.tʃɚ ðæt//
Meaning	To think about something carefully.	Imagine something in your mind.
Example	I will consider your suggestion.	When he described the beach, I could really **picture that** in my mind.
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR level	A2	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	consider carefully, consider an option, consider a possibility	picture that moment, picture that scene, picture that idea, picture that event
Antonyms	ignore, dismiss, overlook	-
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 in formal writing or speeches., Misusing in serious contexts where imagery is inappropriate.
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.	Use 'picture that' to suggest someone visualize or consider a scenario. It’s best in casual conversations.

See it in real clips

From here on in, you can consider my ass retired.

Breaking Bad › S1 E5

Consider this your first and last warning.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

You consider yourself lucky, I'm only busting you to private.

From here on in, you can consider my ass retired.

Breaking Bad › S1 E5

Consider this your first and last warning.

Consider

Better Call Saul › S1 E1

Now, please, please, picture that...

Picture that

Frequently asked questions: Consider vs Picture that

What's the difference between Consider and Picture that?

Consider: To think about something carefully. Picture that: Imagine something in your mind.

Which is more formal: Consider and Picture that?

Consider is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Consider and Picture that?

Consider is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Consider: I will consider your suggestion. Picture that: When he described the beach, I could really **picture that** in my mind.

Can I use Consider and Picture that interchangeably?

Not always. Consider and Picture that 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.