In consideration of

Grammatically, this phrase is a bit of a stickler for the rules. It functions as a complex preposition. This means it always—and I mean *always*—needs a noun or a noun phrase to follow it. You can't just throw a full sentence in there. For example, you can't say, "In consideration of it was raining." That would make a grammarian’s hair turn gray. Instead, you need the noun version: "In consideration of the rain." Think of it as a bridge. On one side, you have your reason (the noun), and on the other, you have your action or decision. You can place this bridge at the very start of your sentence to provide context right away, which is super common in professional emails. Or, you can tuck it into the middle to link your result back to the cause. Just remember the "In-Consideration-Of" sandwich. You need all three pieces. If you lose the In, it’s just a noun phrase. If you lose the Of, the sentence falls apart. It's a package deal, like a combo meal at a fast-food place, but much more expensive-sounding.

We are firmly in the "Very Formal" zone here. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a drunk text and 10 is a Supreme Court ruling, In consideration of is a solid 9. It belongs in the world of contracts, academic journals, HR policy updates, and formal apologies from airlines. It is the language of "The System." Because of this, using it in the wrong place can be a bit awkward. Imagine you’re at a burger joint with a friend and you say, "In consideration of my cholesterol, I shall forgo the extra cheese." Your friend might look at you like you’ve been replaced by a corporate AI. However, this high formality is exactly what makes it powerful. When you need to sound like you know exactly what you’re doing—like in a job application or a letter to a landlord—this phrase is your best friend. It commands respect. It says, "I am a serious person making a serious point."

You’ll find this phrase lurking in the "Terms and Conditions" of almost every app on your phone. When Spotify tells you they can change their prices, they might say, "In consideration of changing market conditions, we reserve the right..." It’s also a staple of the corporate world. If a company gives a manager a big bonus, the official letter might state, "In consideration of your exceptional leadership during the merger..." In academia, researchers use it to show how they reached a conclusion: "In consideration of the anomalies in the second trial, the data was re-evaluated." Even in the world of high-end travel, you might see it. A luxury hotel might send a note saying, "In consideration of your loyalty as a Gold Member, we have upgraded your suite." In all these cases, the phrase acts as a formal justification. It turns a simple action into a reasoned, professional decision. It’s the "why" that makes things official.

Reach for this phrase when the stakes are high. Are you writing a cover letter for your dream job? Use it to link your skills to the company's needs: "In consideration of your company’s focus on sustainability, my background in green energy makes me a perfect fit." Are you a student writing a thesis? Use it to show you’ve thought deeply about your sources. It’s also great for formal requests. If you’re asking your boss for a raise, saying "In consideration of my increased responsibilities over the last year..." sounds much more persuasive than just "I do a lot of work." It’s also useful for being polite but firm. If you have to cancel an event, "In consideration of the safety of our guests..." sounds much more responsible than just "We're scared of the storm." It basically tells people, "I've thought this through, so please don't argue with me."

Avoid this phrase like the plague in casual settings—unless you’re trying to be funny. Don't use it when texting your roommate about whose turn it is to do the dishes. Don't use it in a YouTube comment about a funny cat video. It’s also not the best choice when the reason is very simple or obvious. For example, saying "In consideration of the fact that I am hungry, I will eat a sandwich" is just too much. Just say "I'm hungry, so I'm eating." Also, be careful not to use it if you aren't 100% sure about the noun that follows. If you follow it with a messy, rambling sentence, the formal 'shell' of the phrase will actually make your grammar mistakes look even worse. It’s like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops—people will notice the flip-flops even more because the suit is so nice.

The most common trip-up is the "Ing" Trap. Many learners want to say "In considering of," probably because they are thinking of the word "considering." But consideration must remain a noun here. Another big one is the "Preposition Swap." You might be tempted to say "With consideration of" or "In consideration for." While "in consideration for" actually exists in legal jargon (meaning "in exchange for money"), for 99% of your writing, you want of. Then there’s the "Sentence Follower" mistake. Remember, no full sentences allowed after the of! You can't say "In consideration of he was late." You must say "In consideration of his lateness." It’s a small change, but it’s the difference between looking like a C1 pro and a beginner.

• ✗ In considering of the cost → ✓ In consideration of the cost
• ✗ In consideration of I was sick → ✓ In consideration of my illness
• ✗ With consideration of the rules → ✓ In consideration of the rules
• ✗ In consideration the weather → ✓ In consideration of the weather

If you find yourself using In consideration of too much and you want to switch it up, you have options! In light of is the most popular sibling. It’s slightly less "lawyer-ish" and implies that you’re reacting to new information. Then there’s Taking into account, which is the perfect "neutral" version for everyday business. If you want to be super brief, you can just use Considering, which works as a preposition all on its own (e.g., "Considering the cost, it’s a good deal"). For a more academic vibe, try In view of. And if you want to sound like you’re in a 19th-century novel, you could use By virtue of. Each one has a slightly different 'temperature,' but they all do the same basic job of connecting a reason to a result. Just make sure the 'temperature' of your phrase matches the 'temperature' of the rest of your sentence.

Is this phrase only for lawyers? Not at all! While it started in law, it’s now standard for anyone writing in a professional or academic environment. Does it mean 'payment'? Sometimes in legal contracts, yes—it refers to the thing of value being exchanged. But in general English, it just means "taking into account." Can I use it to start a sentence? Yes, that’s actually the most common way to use it! It sets the stage for the rest of your point. Is it okay for IELTS? It’s better than okay; it’s a great way to show off your high-level vocabulary. Just make sure you follow it with a noun! Is it common in American English? Yes, it’s used across all English dialects, especially in formal documents. Can I use it ironically? Absolutely. Using it for small things like "In consideration of my laziness, I will not be going to the gym" is a classic bit of English humor.