This leads us to consider

You typically use this phrase right after you have delivered a piece of information, a statistic, or a problem. You pause for a split second to let the information sink in, and then you drop this line to pivot to your next point. For example, if you are talking about how a new app is losing users, you might say, "Retention is down by ten percent. This leads us to consider whether our user interface is too confusing." It works best when there is a clear "cause and effect" relationship between the two points. Think of it as the glue that holds two different ideas together. If you use it correctly, your listeners will feel like they are on a guided tour of your brain, and they won't get lost in the details. Just don't use it for things that are too obvious, or you might sound like a robot trying to explain why the sky is blue.

This phrase is the "business casual" of the English language. It’s perfect for the B2 level because it moves you away from simple transitions like "so" or "and" into something more professional. You will find it most often in formal presentations, academic essays, and professional emails. It’s also very common in "Video Essays" on YouTube or in podcasts where the host is analyzing a complex topic. It’s not quite "tuxedo-level" formal (like "It is therefore imperative that we contemplate"), but it’s definitely not "sweatpants-level" casual. You wouldn't use it while texting a friend about what pizza to order, unless you were trying to be funny. If you say, "I'm really hungry, and this leads us to consider Hawaiian pizza," your friend might think you’ve been spending too much time with your English textbook.

You can hear this phrase everywhere once you start looking for it. A tech CEO might use it during a keynote speech: "Our battery life is now twenty hours. This leads us to consider what users can achieve when they aren't tethered to a wall." In an academic setting, a researcher might write, "The data shows a correlation between sleep and memory. This leads us to consider the impact of late-night studying on exam scores." Even in a job interview, it’s a great tool. If an interviewer asks about a challenge you faced, you can describe the problem and then say, "The project was over budget. This leads us to consider the new cost-saving measures I implemented to fix it." It shows you are a problem-solver who thinks in a structured way.

Use this phrase when you want to sound authoritative and logical. It’s particularly useful during a PowerPoint presentation when you are moving from a slide with data to a slide with a recommendation. It’s also great for written reports where you need to guide the reader through a complex argument. If you are a content creator, this phrase is a lifesaver for keeping your audience engaged during long videos. It creates a "narrative flow" that keeps people from clicking away. It tells them that the point you just made is actually leading somewhere interesting. It’s the perfect tool for anytime you need to say, "Wait, there's more logic coming!"

Avoid using this phrase in highly emotional or very casual situations. If your friend is crying because they lost their job, don't say, "You were fired. This leads us to consider your spending habits for next month." That would be incredibly cold and weird! Also, try not to use it in short, snappy social media posts like a tweet or an Instagram caption. It’s a bit too wordy for those platforms. In those cases, a simple "So..." or "Maybe..." works much better. Finally, don't use it if the connection between the two points is totally unrelated. If you say, "I like cats, and this leads us to consider the price of bitcoin," your audience will be very confused about how you got from fluffy kittens to digital currency.

The most common mistake learners make is getting the grammar wrong right after the word to. Remember, it's to consider (the infinitive), not to considering.

✗ wrong phrase: This leads us to considering the options.

✓ correct phrase: This leads us to consider the options.

Another mistake is forgetting the word us. People sometimes say This leads to consider... but that sounds incomplete. You need to "lead" someone, and in most cases, that "someone" is the speaker and the audience together (us). Also, watch out for the preposition! Don't say leads for us or leads at us. It’s always leads us to. It’s a fixed package, so don't try to break it apart or swap the pieces like you're playing Lego with your grammar.

If you find yourself saying this too many times in one speech, you’ll start to sound like a broken record. You can mix it up with phrases like this brings us to or this prompts us to examine. If you want to be a bit more direct, you can say this suggests that we should look at. For a more modern or "startup" feel, people often say this points toward. If you’re writing something very formal, you might use this necessitates a closer look at. All of these serve the same function of bridging two ideas, but they change the "flavor" of the transition. Think of them like different spices in your kitchen—use the one that fits the dish you're cooking!

Is this phrase too formal for a team meeting?

Not at all! In a professional team meeting, sounding logical and structured is a good thing. It shows you have a clear train of thought and aren't just rambling. However, if it's a very informal "coffee chat," you might want to stick to simpler words like "so" or "which means."

Can I say "this leads me to consider" instead of "us"?

Yes, absolutely. Use leads me if you are talking about your own personal thoughts or a solo research project. Use leads us when you are presenting to a group and want to include them in your journey of discovery. It’s a small change that changes the "inclusive" feel of the sentence.

Is there a difference between "consider" and "think about" here?

Consider sounds a bit more deliberate and serious than think about. When you "consider" something, it implies you are weighing options or looking at it analytically. "Think about" is more general. In a professional context, consider is usually the better, more impressive choice.