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Consider or regard?

Consider and regard can both mean ‘believe’ or ‘realise’ or ‘understand’. When they mean ‘believe’ or ‘realise’ or ‘understand’, we don’t often use the continuous forms.

Consider​

Consider takes several different patterns.

Consider + that-clause​

  • When you consider that she was very scared, her story is even more remarkable.

Consider + object + to be​

  • They consider him to be the best chef in the country.

Consider + object + to have​

  • The ministry of trade considered the company to have the best vision for exports.
warning

We don’t use as with consider:

  • We consider this to be a very serious issue.
  • Not: We consider this as a very serious issue.

Regard​

We often use regard in the phrase ‘regard as’: regard (+ object) + as + noun phrase or adjective phrase:

  • The United Nations regard human rights as their main priority.
  • Alexander Graham Bell is regarded as the inventor of the telephone.
  • Do you regard their behaviour as good or bad?

Typical error​

We don’t usually use the continuous forms of consider and regard:

  • When you consider that he was too young, you have to blame his parents.
  • Not: When you are considering that he was too young …
  • The government regards the economy as a main priority.
  • Not: The government is regarding the economy …