Consideration vs Perusal: When To Use Each One In Writing

When it comes to choosing the right word to use in a particular context, it can be easy to get confused with words that seem similar in meaning. One such pair of words that often cause confusion is consideration and perusal. While they may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings that set them apart from each other.

Consideration and perusal are both nouns that refer to the act of looking at something carefully. However, there are subtle differences between the two that make them appropriate for different situations.

Consideration refers to the act of thinking about something carefully before making a decision or taking action. It involves taking into account all relevant factors and weighing the pros and cons before arriving at a conclusion. For example, when making a major purchase, it is important to give careful consideration to all the options available before making a decision.

Perusal, on the other hand, refers to the act of reading or examining something carefully, often with the intention of understanding or evaluating it. It involves looking at something in detail and taking note of important points. For example, a lawyer may peruse a legal document to ensure that it is accurate and free of errors before presenting it in court.

While both consideration and perusal involve careful examination, the former is more focused on decision-making, while the latter is more focused on understanding and evaluation. By understanding the difference between these two words, you can choose the one that is most appropriate for the situation at hand.

In the rest of this article, we will explore the differences between consideration and perusal in more detail, and provide examples of how they can be used in different contexts.

Define Consideration

Consideration refers to the act of giving careful thought to something before making a decision. It involves taking into account all relevant factors and weighing them against each other in order to arrive at a well-informed conclusion. Consideration can be applied to various situations, such as business transactions, legal agreements, and personal relationships.

For example, in a business context, consideration may involve evaluating the pros and cons of a particular investment opportunity before deciding whether or not to proceed with it. In a legal context, consideration is a necessary element of a contract, where both parties must give something of value in exchange for the other’s promise.

Define Perusal

Perusal, on the other hand, refers to the act of reading or examining something carefully and thoroughly. It involves taking the time to understand the details and nuances of a text or document in order to gain a deeper insight into its meaning or significance.

For example, when reviewing a legal contract, a lawyer may peruse the document in order to identify any potential issues or areas of concern. Similarly, when reading a work of literature, a reader may peruse the text in order to fully appreciate its themes and symbolism.

Comparison of Consideration and Perusal

Consideration	Perusal
Focuses on weighing factors and making informed decisions	Focuses on understanding the details and nuances of a text or document
Applies to various situations, such as business transactions, legal agreements, and personal relationships	Primarily applies to reading or examining written material
Involves giving careful thought to something	Involves reading or examining something carefully and thoroughly

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, choosing the right words is essential to ensuring that your message is conveyed accurately. Two words that are often used interchangeably are “consideration” and “perusal.” However, they have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in a sentence.

How To Use “Consideration” In A Sentence

“Consideration” refers to careful thought and attention given to something before making a decision or taking action. Here are some examples of how to use “consideration” in a sentence:

• After much consideration, I have decided to accept the job offer.
• The proposal is currently under consideration by the committee.
• Before making any changes, we need to give careful consideration to the potential consequences.

When using “consideration” in a sentence, it’s important to remember that it implies a thoughtful and deliberate process. It’s not a word to be used casually or without careful consideration (pun intended).

How To Use “Perusal” In A Sentence

“Perusal” refers to a quick or casual reading of something. Here are some examples of how to use “perusal” in a sentence:

• After a quick perusal of the report, I noticed several errors that need to be corrected.
• The book is worth a perusal if you’re interested in the subject matter.
• Please give this document a thorough perusal before signing it.

When using “perusal” in a sentence, it’s important to remember that it implies a less careful and thorough reading than “consideration.” It’s often used when referring to something that can be quickly scanned or skimmed.

More Examples Of Consideration & Perusal Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between consideration and perusal, it is helpful to see them used in various contexts. Here are some examples of how to use consideration in a sentence:

• After much consideration, we have decided to move forward with the project.
• She gave careful consideration to each of the options before making a decision.
• The proposal is currently under consideration by the board of directors.
• Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
• The company takes environmental considerations very seriously.
• He showed little consideration for her feelings.
• It is important to take into consideration the impact on the local community.
• The team gave serious consideration to the feedback they received.
• She asked for our consideration in light of the difficult circumstances.
• He took into consideration the fact that she had never done this before.

And here are some examples of how to use perusal in a sentence:

• After a quick perusal of the document, she realized there were several errors.
• The book is worth a perusal for anyone interested in history.
• He gave the report a thorough perusal before presenting it to the team.
• Thank you for sending the report for my perusal.
• She gave the contract a careful perusal before signing it.
• He quickly gave the email a perusal before responding.
• The website is worth a perusal for anyone looking for new recipes.
• She gave the menu a quick perusal before deciding what to order.
• He suggested giving the document a second perusal before submitting it.
• The brochure is worth a perusal for anyone planning a trip to the area.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using consideration and perusal, there are a number of common mistakes that people make. These mistakes can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, so it is important to be aware of them and to take steps to avoid them in the future.

Using Consideration And Perusal Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make is using consideration and perusal interchangeably. While these two words are often used in similar contexts, they have distinct meanings that should not be confused.

Consideration refers to careful thought and attention given to something. It implies a level of deliberation and analysis before making a decision. Perusal, on the other hand, refers to a quick or casual reading of something. It implies a more superficial examination without necessarily giving it much thought.

Using consideration when perusal is meant can make one appear indecisive or overly cautious, while using perusal when consideration is meant can make one appear careless or thoughtless.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is important to be clear on the meanings of consideration and perusal, and to use them appropriately in context. Here are some tips to help:

• Take the time to fully understand the meanings of both words
• Consider the context in which the words are being used
• Think carefully about which word best conveys the intended meaning
• If in doubt, consult a dictionary or thesaurus to confirm the correct usage

By being mindful of these tips, you can avoid common mistakes when using consideration and perusal, and communicate more effectively with others.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between consideration and perusal, context plays a crucial role in determining which approach is more appropriate. Both consideration and perusal have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and selecting the right one can make a significant impact on the outcome of a given situation.

Consideration

Consideration is a thoughtful and deliberate approach that involves carefully analyzing and evaluating a particular subject or situation. This method is ideal for situations that require a high level of attention to detail and critical thinking. For example, when making an important business decision, it is essential to consider all possible factors and outcomes before coming to a conclusion.

Consideration is also useful in situations where emotions may be running high, and it is important to remain level-headed and objective. By taking the time to consider all aspects of a situation, individuals can make more informed and rational decisions.

Perusal

Perusal, on the other hand, is a more casual and cursory approach that involves quickly scanning or browsing through a particular subject or document. This method is ideal for situations where time is of the essence, and a quick overview is all that is needed. For example, when reviewing a large volume of resumes for a job opening, perusal can help to quickly narrow down the pool of candidates to a more manageable number.

Perusal is also useful in situations where the subject matter is relatively straightforward, and a more in-depth analysis is not required. For instance, when reading a news article, perusal can help to quickly grasp the main points of the story without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

Context Examples

The choice between consideration and perusal can vary depending on the context in which they are used. Here are a few examples:

• Academic Research: When conducting academic research, consideration is typically the preferred approach. This is because academic research requires a high level of attention to detail and critical thinking, and perusal may result in important information being missed.
• Reading for Pleasure: When reading for pleasure, perusal is often the preferred approach. This is because the goal is typically to enjoy the reading material rather than to analyze it in great detail.
• Legal Documents: When reviewing legal documents, consideration is typically the preferred approach. This is because legal documents can be complex and require a thorough understanding to ensure that all legal requirements are met.
• Online Shopping: When shopping online, perusal is often the preferred approach. This is because online shoppers typically want to quickly browse through multiple products to find what they are looking for.

Overall, the choice between consideration and perusal depends on the specific context in which they are used. By understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each approach, individuals can make more informed decisions and achieve better outcomes.

Exceptions To The Rules

Consideration

While consideration is generally required for a contract to be legally binding, there are certain exceptions where it may not be necessary:

• Promissory Estoppel: This exception applies when one party makes a promise to another party, who then relies on that promise to their detriment. Even though there may not have been any consideration exchanged, the court may enforce the promise to prevent injustice. For example, if a father promises to pay for his son’s college education, and the son relies on that promise by attending an expensive university, the court may enforce the promise even though there was no consideration exchanged.
• Charitable Contributions: When a person makes a donation to a charitable organization, there is typically no consideration exchanged. However, the donation is still legally binding and enforceable because it is considered a gift.
• Pre-Existing Duty: If a person is already obligated to perform a certain duty, then doing that duty cannot be considered consideration for a new contract. For example, if a construction company is already obligated to complete a building project, they cannot use that obligation as consideration for a new contract with the same client.

Perusal

While perusal is not typically required for a legal document to be enforceable, there are certain exceptions where it may be necessary:

• Statutory Requirements: In some cases, the law may require that a document be read and understood by all parties before it can be considered legally binding. For example, in some states, a person must read and sign a disclosure statement before being allowed to purchase a home.
• Complex Contracts: In situations where a contract is particularly complex or contains legal jargon that may be difficult for a layperson to understand, it may be necessary for all parties to carefully peruse the document before signing. This can help prevent misunderstandings or disputes down the line.
• Fraudulent Activity: If one party is attempting to deceive another party by hiding important information within a document, the deceived party may be able to argue that they did not actually peruse the document before signing it. This can potentially invalidate the contract and protect the deceived party from any negative consequences.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of consideration and perusal requires practice. Here are some exercises to help readers do just that:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Complete the following sentences with either consideration or perusal:

1. Before making a decision, it’s important to give the matter careful ____________.
2. She gave the report a quick ____________ before the meeting.
3. After much ____________, we decided to go with the cheaper option.
4. The contract is currently under ____________ by our legal team.
5. He gave the document a thorough ____________ before signing it.

Answer Key:

1. Before making a decision, it’s important to give the matter careful consideration.
2. She gave the report a quick perusal before the meeting.
3. After much consideration, we decided to go with the cheaper option.
4. The contract is currently under consideration by our legal team.
5. He gave the document a thorough perusal before signing it.

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of either consideration or perusal:

1. After careful ____________, the committee decided to approve the proposal.
2. She gave the book a quick ____________ before deciding to buy it.
3. The report is currently under ____________ by the board of directors.
4. Before making a decision, it’s important to give the matter careful ____________.
5. He gave the contract a thorough ____________ before signing it.

Answer Key:

1. After careful consideration, the committee decided to approve the proposal.
2. She gave the book a quick perusal before deciding to buy it.
3. The report is currently under perusal by the board of directors.
4. Before making a decision, it’s important to give the matter careful consideration.
5. He gave the contract a thorough perusal before signing it.

Conclusion

After exploring the difference between consideration and perusal, it is clear that these two words cannot be used interchangeably in writing. Consideration refers to careful thought and attention, while perusal refers to a quick or casual reading. It is important for writers to understand the nuances of these words in order to effectively convey their intended meaning.

Throughout this article, we have discussed the definitions of consideration and perusal, as well as their origins and usage in modern language. We have also explored examples of how these words can be used in context, and the impact that their incorrect usage can have on the reader.

As writers, it is our responsibility to use language correctly and effectively. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our writing skills and better communicate our ideas to our audience.