Consider vs Contemplate

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

Consider

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Contemplate

Top 2,000 (common) C1 verb

Most common: Consider

	Consider	Contemplate
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //kənˈsɪdə// 🇺🇸 //kənˈsɪdər//	🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To think about something carefully.	To think deeply about something.
Example	I will consider your suggestion.	She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (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
Antonyms	ignore, dismiss, overlook	ignore, disregard, dismiss
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.
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.

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

Frequently asked questions: Consider vs Contemplate

What's the difference between Consider and Contemplate?

Consider: To think about something carefully. Contemplate: To think deeply about something.

Which is more common: Consider and Contemplate?

Consider is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Consider and Contemplate?

Contemplate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Consider and Contemplate the same CEFR level?

Consider: A2, Contemplate: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Consider and Contemplate?

Consider: verb, Contemplate: verb.

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.

Can I use Consider and Contemplate interchangeably?

Not always. Consider and Contemplate 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.