reconsider
B2formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
to think again about a decision, opinion, or plan, especially with the possibility of changing it
to review or re-evaluate a previous judgment, position, or course of action, often in response to new information, persuasion, or reflection
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, thoughtful process of reviewing a previous decision; often used in contexts where initial refusal or rejection might be overturned. Carries a nuance of openness to change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English; common in both administrative and personal contexts in American English.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reconsider + NP (object)reconsider + wh-clausereconsider + -ing clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a change of heart”
- “to think better of it”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in negotiations, HR decisions, and strategic planning (e.g., 'The board was asked to reconsider the merger.')
Academic
Used in scholarly debate, peer review, and hypothesis testing (e.g., 'The new evidence led her to reconsider the theory.')
Everyday
Used in personal decisions, plans, and opinions (e.g., 'I hope you'll reconsider moving abroad.')
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts; more common in policy, legal, or procedural discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council may reconsider its planning permission for the development.
- I would urge you to reconsider resigning.
- After the appeal, the judge agreed to reconsider the sentence.
American English
- The committee will reconsider the proposal at its next meeting.
- You should reconsider before making such a big investment.
- He asked the court to reconsider the ruling.
adverb
British English
- He looked at the plan reconsideringly.
- She nodded reconsideringly after hearing the arguments.
- The proposal was reconsideringly put forward.
American English
- He spoke reconsideringly about his earlier criticism.
- She answered reconsideringly, having changed her mind.
- The terms were reconsideringly accepted.
adjective
British English
- A reconsidered opinion is often wiser.
- The reconsidered route avoided the traffic.
- She submitted a reconsidered application.
American English
- His reconsidered stance was more moderate.
- The team presented a reconsidered strategy.
- After feedback, she offered a reconsidered draft.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please reconsider your answer.
- I will reconsider my plans.
- The manager agreed to reconsider my application.
- You should reconsider before you say no.
- In light of the new data, we must reconsider our initial hypothesis.
- The government is under pressure to reconsider its economic policy.
- The tribunal's decision is unlikely to be reconsidered unless fresh evidence emerges.
- Philosophers are forced to reconsider the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE-CONSIDER: Think of 'RE' (again) + 'CONSIDER' (think about). You CONSIDER something a second time.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS A JOURNEY (to go back over a mental path), A DECISION IS AN OBJECT (to pick up and examine again)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'пересмотреть' when it means only 'to look again' (e.g., at a film). 'Reconsider' is purely mental. 'Пересмотреть' can be ambiguous.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reconsider about' (incorrect preposition). Correct: 'reconsider the plan', not 'reconsider about the plan'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest in meaning to 'reconsider'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. It is appropriate in both serious personal conversations and official contexts.
Rarely. It is almost always a transitive verb (e.g., 'reconsider the offer'). Intransitive use is possible but less common (e.g., 'I urge you to reconsider.').
The main noun form is 'reconsideration' (e.g., 'The matter is under reconsideration').
No. It only means you will think about it again. The outcome could be the same or different.