Consider vs Concede: Deciding Between Similar Terms

When it comes to communication, choosing the right words can make all the difference. In particular, the words “consider” and “concede” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings that can greatly impact the message being conveyed.

The proper word to use depends on the context and intention of the speaker. “Consider” means to think about something carefully before making a decision or coming to a conclusion. On the other hand, “concede” means to admit that something is true or valid, often after initially resisting or denying it.

Understanding the nuances of these words can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that your message is clear and effective. In this article, we will explore the differences between “consider” and “concede” in more detail and provide examples of when each word should be used.

Define Consider

Consider is a verb that means to think about something carefully before making a decision or forming an opinion. It involves taking into account various factors and weighing the pros and cons of a situation. When you consider something, you are giving it serious thought and reflection.

For example, if you are considering buying a new car, you would take into account factors such as the car’s price, features, reliability, and fuel efficiency. You would weigh these factors against each other and decide which car is the best fit for your needs and budget.

Consider can also mean to show respect or thoughtfulness towards someone or something. For instance, you might consider the feelings of others before making a decision that could affect them.

Define Concede

Concede is a verb that means to admit or acknowledge something, often reluctantly or after a struggle. It involves accepting that something is true or valid, even if you do not agree with it or do not want to admit it.

For example, if you are in an argument with someone and you realize that they are right, you might concede the point and admit that you were wrong. Similarly, if you lose a game or competition, you might concede defeat and acknowledge that the other team or player was better.

Concede can also mean to grant or allow something, often as a result of negotiation or compromise. For instance, a politician might concede to certain demands in order to reach a compromise on a controversial issue.

Comparison of Consider and Concede

Consider	Concede
Means to think about something carefully	Means to admit or acknowledge something
Often involves weighing pros and cons	Often involves accepting something reluctantly
Can also mean to show respect or thoughtfulness towards someone or something	Can also mean to grant or allow something

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right words to use in a sentence can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to words that have similar meanings. One such pair of words that often cause confusion are ‘consider’ and ‘concede’. In this section, we will discuss how to use these words in a sentence properly.

How To Use ‘Consider’ In A Sentence

‘Consider’ is a verb that means to think about something carefully before making a decision. It is often used to express the idea of taking something into account or giving it some thought. Here are some examples of how to use ‘consider’ in a sentence:

• I am considering taking a break from work next month.
• Before making a decision, we need to consider all the options.
• She asked me to consider her proposal before giving her an answer.

As you can see from these examples, ‘consider’ is often followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form of a verb). It can also be used with the preposition ‘as’ to mean ‘regard or consider in a specified way’. Here is an example:

• He considers himself to be an expert in the field of marketing.

How To Use ‘Concede’ In A Sentence

‘Concede’ is a verb that means to admit or acknowledge something to be true or valid after first denying or resisting it. It is often used to express the idea of giving in or accepting defeat. Here are some examples of how to use ‘concede’ in a sentence:

• He finally conceded that he had made a mistake.
• After a long debate, the opposition party conceded defeat.
• She reluctantly conceded that her opponent had a better argument.

As you can see from these examples, ‘concede’ is often followed by a clause starting with ‘that’. It can also be used with the preposition ‘to’ to mean ‘yield or give up’. Here is an example:

• The company conceded to the demands of the striking workers.

More Examples Of Consider & Concede Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the differences between consider and concede, it’s important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples of both words used in context:

Examples Of Using Consider In A Sentence

• Before making a decision, it’s important to consider all of the options available.
• She asked me to consider her feelings before making a final choice.
• When planning a trip, it’s important to consider the weather and pack accordingly.
• He didn’t want to consider the possibility of failure, so he didn’t take the risk.
• After much consideration, they decided to move forward with the project.
• It’s important to consider the long-term effects of your actions before making a decision.
• She asked him to consider the impact his words might have on others.
• Before accepting the job offer, he needed to consider the salary and benefits.
• When buying a car, it’s important to consider the resale value.
• They had to consider the safety of the building before allowing people to enter.

Examples Of Using Concede In A Sentence

• After a long debate, he finally conceded that she had a valid point.
• She conceded defeat and walked away from the argument.
• He had to concede that he was wrong and apologize for his mistake.
• Despite his best efforts, he had to concede that he couldn’t finish the project on time.
• She reluctantly conceded that she needed help with the task.
• He conceded that the other team played better and deserved to win.
• After a heated discussion, they finally conceded to compromise on the issue.
• She had to concede that she didn’t have enough evidence to prove her case.
• He conceded that he didn’t have enough experience to take on the job.
• After much resistance, he finally conceded to her request.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using words properly, it’s important to understand the subtle differences between them. Two words that are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings are consider and concede. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of using these words incorrectly, which can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Consider When You Mean Concede

One of the most common mistakes people make is using the word consider when they really mean concede. Consider means to think about something carefully before making a decision, while concede means to admit that something is true or valid, often reluctantly. For example, if someone says “I consider that you are right,” they are saying that they are thinking about the possibility that the other person is right. However, if they say “I concede that you are right,” they are admitting that the other person is right, even if they don’t want to.

Using Concede When You Mean Consider

On the flip side, some people use concede when they really mean consider. This mistake can make it seem like the person is giving up or admitting defeat when they are really just thinking things over. It’s important to use the right word to convey the intended meaning. For example, if someone says “I concede that I need to think about it,” they are admitting that they need to think about something, but it sounds like they are giving up. Instead, they could say “I consider that I need to think about it,” which conveys the same meaning without the negative connotation.

Offering Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it’s important to be aware of the subtle differences between consider and concede. Here are some tips:

• Think about the intended meaning of the sentence before using either word
• Consider using synonyms to avoid confusion (e.g. contemplate instead of consider)
• Read over your writing carefully to make sure you are using the right word

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and use consider and concede correctly in your writing and conversations.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “consider” and “concede” can be a matter of context. The context in which these words are used can affect the meaning of the sentence and the tone of the conversation. It is important to understand the nuances of each word to use them effectively.

Consider

The word “consider” is often used when weighing options or making a decision. It implies that the decision has not been made yet and that there are multiple options to choose from. For example:

• “I will consider your proposal and get back to you.” – This suggests that the person is open to the proposal and will give it some thought before making a decision.
• “We need to consider all the options before making a decision.” – This implies that there are multiple options and that they need to be evaluated before a decision is made.

Concede

The word “concede” is often used when admitting defeat or acknowledging a point made by someone else. It implies that the decision has already been made or that there is only one option available. For example:

• “I concede that you were right about the project timeline.” – This suggests that the person was wrong and is now acknowledging the other person’s point of view.
• “We will have to concede that we cannot meet the deadline.” – This implies that the deadline cannot be met and that there are no other options available.

As you can see, the choice between “consider” and “concede” can depend on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the situation and the intended meaning before choosing which word to use.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using consider and concede are generally straightforward, there are exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some of the most common exceptions:

1. Contextual Differences

One exception to consider vs concede rules is when the context of the sentence changes. In some cases, the use of either word might be more appropriate depending on the context. For instance:

• If you are discussing a business proposal, you might say “I will consider your proposal” to indicate that you are willing to think about it.
• However, if you are in a debate and want to show that you are willing to accept your opponent’s point of view, you might say “I concede your point.”

2. Tone Differences

Another exception to consider vs concede rules is when the tone of the sentence changes. In some cases, the use of either word might be more appropriate depending on the tone. For instance:

• If you want to express a willingness to compromise, you might say “I will consider your offer.”
• However, if you want to express defeat or surrender, you might say “I concede the game.”

3. Regional Differences

Finally, there might be regional differences in the use of consider vs concede. For instance, in British English, the word “concede” is often used in place of “admit” or “acknowledge.” In this case, the word “consider” would not be used in the same context.

It is important to note that these exceptions are not exhaustive, and there might be other situations where the rules for using consider and concede might not apply. However, by understanding these exceptions, you can use these words more effectively in your writing and speaking.

Practice Exercises

Improving your understanding and use of consider and concede can be challenging, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here are some practice exercises to help you master these two words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (consider or concede) to fill in the blank in each sentence:

Sentence	Answer
After much ____________, we decided to go with the cheaper option.	consideration
I had to ____________ defeat and admit that I was wrong.	concede
She ____________ the possibility that she might not get the job.	considered
The politician refused to ____________ the election results.	concede
He ____________ buying a new car, but decided to fix his old one instead.	considered
The team captain had to ____________ that they had lost the game.	concede

Exercise 2: Using The Words In Context

Write a sentence using each of the following words:

• Consider
• Concede

Once you have written your sentences, compare them to the examples below:

• Consider: I will consider your proposal and get back to you.
• Concede: After a long argument, I had to concede that he was right.

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct word (consider or concede) to complete each sentence:

1. After much ____________, she decided to take the job.
2. The politician refused to ____________ the election results.
3. He ____________ that he was wrong and apologized.
4. She ____________ the possibility that she might not get the promotion.
5. The team captain had to ____________ that they had lost the game.

Answers:

1. consideration
2. concede
3. conceded
4. considered
5. concede

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of consider and concede. Remember to pay attention to context and choose the word that best fits the situation.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “consider” and “concede,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. While “consider” implies a thoughtful examination or contemplation of something, “concede” suggests a reluctant acceptance or admission of defeat.

It is important to use the correct word in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion. This is especially true in written communication, where the reader may not have the benefit of tone or context to help discern the intended meaning.

Key Takeaways

• “Consider” and “concede” have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.
• “Consider” implies a thoughtful examination or contemplation of something.
• “Concede” suggests a reluctant acceptance or admission of defeat.
• Using the correct word is important in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion.

By paying attention to the nuances of language use, we can improve our communication skills and avoid common mistakes. Whether you are a professional writer or simply someone who wants to improve their grammar and language use, there is always more to learn.

So, keep reading, keep learning, and keep striving for clear and effective communication!