With Consideration of vs. With Consideration to – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “with consideration of” and “with consideration to,” use “with consideration of” when you mean taking something into account. “With consideration to” is generally nonstandard or awkward in formal American English. Depending on meaning, replace it with “with consideration for,” “in consideration of,” or “with regard to” instead.
With Consideration of or With Consideration To – Which Is Correct?
“With consideration of” is grammatically acceptable when it means taking a fact, issue, or circumstance into account. However, “in consideration of” is often the more natural formal expression.
“With consideration to” is generally considered awkward or nonstandard in formal American English. Writers usually mean either “with consideration of,” “with consideration for,” or “with regard to.” The preposition to correctly follows consideration in the expression “give consideration to”, but that does not make “with consideration to” the best construction.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use this swap test: if you can replace the phrase with “taking into account”, use “consideration of” or, more naturally, “in consideration of.” If you mean kindness or thoughtfulness toward a person, use “consideration for.” Reserve “consideration to” for the verb pattern give consideration to something.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| with consideration of | Prepositional phrase | While taking something into account | The policy was revised with consideration of public feedback. |
| with consideration to | Awkward or nonstandard phrase | Usually intended to mean “with consideration of” or “with regard to” | Use “with regard to delivery dates” instead. |
How to Use With Consideration of
“With consideration of” introduces a factor that someone takes into account before making a decision, forming an opinion, or taking an action. It is formal and grammatically sound, although “in consideration of” is usually more idiomatic in polished writing.
The phrase commonly appears in legal, administrative, academic, and business contexts. The noun after of identifies the matter being evaluated.
Example 1: The committee approved the proposal with consideration of its potential environmental effects.
Example 2: The court reached its decision with consideration of the evidence presented by both parties.
Example 3: The company adjusted the schedule with consideration of its employees’ transportation needs.
Etymology of the Phrase With Consideration of
Consideration comes from the Latin considerare, meaning “to examine” or “to observe attentively.” It entered English through Old French and developed meanings related to careful thought, attention, regard, and factors taken into account. The preposition of links the act of considering to the matter being examined.
Why With Consideration To Is Usually Avoided
“With consideration to” is understandable, but it is not the preferred standard expression in formal American English. It likely develops from the correct pattern “give consideration to” or from the common phrase “with regard to.”
Choose a replacement based on your intended meaning:
- Taking something into account: Use “in consideration of” or “with consideration of.”
- Showing thoughtfulness toward someone: Use “with consideration for.”
- Referring to a subject: Use “with regard to,” “regarding,” or “concerning.”
- Describing a decision-making process: Use “give consideration to.”
For example, instead of writing “The rule was changed with consideration to safety,” write “The rule was changed in consideration of safety” or “The rule was changed with regard to safety.”
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between prepositional patterns makes it easier to select the correct expression after consideration.
- Prepositional collocations: English nouns and verbs often pair naturally with particular prepositions. For example, we say “consideration of a problem,” “consideration for a person,” and “give consideration to a proposal.”
- Formal alternatives: “In consideration of,” “with regard to,” “regarding,” and “taking into account” can often replace awkward wording without changing the intended meaning.
- Consideration for: This pattern usually expresses thoughtfulness, respect, or concern toward another person or group, as in “She showed consideration for her neighbors.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The preferred expression appears especially often in formal reporting, legal writing, public policy, and narrative descriptions of difficult decisions.
- News reporting: A report about a transportation project might explain that officials approved the plan with consideration of traffic, cost, and environmental impact.
- Legal writing: A court opinion may describe a ruling as being made with consideration of the evidence and the rights of each party.
- Public policy: A government notice might announce a regulation developed with consideration of public comments.
- Business writing: A company memo may describe a revised deadline as being set with consideration of employees’ workloads.
- Literary narration: A novel may describe a character making a decision with consideration of the consequences for the entire family.
With Consideration of Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| in consideration of | Taking a factor or circumstance into account; often the most natural formal alternative. |
| taking into account | Including a fact or issue in the decision-making process. |
| with regard to | In relation to or concerning a particular subject. |
| regarding | About or concerning something. |
| in light of | Considering new information, circumstances, or evidence. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “with consideration of” grammatically correct?
Yes. “With consideration of” is grammatically acceptable when it means taking something into account. In formal writing, “in consideration of” is often a smoother alternative.
Question 2: Is “with consideration to” correct?
“With consideration to” is generally awkward or nonstandard in formal American English. Replace it with “with consideration of,” “in consideration of,” “with consideration for,” or “with regard to,” depending on the intended meaning.
Question 3: When should I use “consideration for”?
Use “consideration for” when describing thoughtfulness, respect, or concern toward a person, group, or living thing. For example: “The manager showed consideration for the team’s needs.”
Question 4: Is “give consideration to” correct?
Yes. “Give consideration to” is a standard verb phrase. For example: “The board will give consideration to the proposed changes.” The correct use of to in this construction does not make “with consideration to” equally idiomatic.
Conclusion
Use “with consideration of” when you mean taking something into account, although “in consideration of” is often more natural. Avoid “with consideration to” in formal writing, and choose “with consideration for,” “with regard to,” or “give consideration to” according to your meaning. Pro Tip: Selecting standard prepositional expressions strengthens clarity and protects your professional reputation.
