consult

consult — verb

1. to go to a person, book, website, or other source for expert information or advi

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to go to a person, book, website, or other source for expert information or advice on a particular topic

例句

Before buying a house, Kian consulted a local real estate agent about prices.

consult + person about + topic

Doctors often consult medical journals before prescribing a new treatment.

consult + written source for information

同義詞
  • refer to

    more general; can mean simply looking at something for info, not necessarily an expert

  • look up

    informal; used for checking facts in a book, list, or online

  • ask

    less formal; used for getting information from a person in everyday situations

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately not seek or pay attention to advice or information

文法句型

consult + person/source

用法筆記

For informal situations, 'ask' or 'look up' sound more natural. 'Consult' suggests you are seeking information from someone or something with recognised authority or expertise on the matter.

常見錯誤

❌I consulted with the dictionary.
✅I consulted the dictionary.
💡When referring to a reference work, use 'consult' directly without 'with'.
❌I need to consult the weather.
✅I need to check the weather.
💡'Consult' is too formal for everyday situations like checking the weather.

2. to talk with someone in order to hear their opinion or get their permission befo

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to talk with someone in order to hear their opinion or get their permission before reaching a decision

例句

The manager consulted with her team before announcing the new policy.

consult with + person before + action

We need to consult the residents before building the new playground.

consult + group before decision

同義詞
  • confer

    more formal; implies equal discussion among participants

  • talk to

    informal; general communication without the formal decision-making nuance

反義詞

文法句型

consult with + person + about + topic

consult + person + before + action

用法筆記

Often followed by 'with' when the discussion is mutual. The pattern 'consult with someone' emphasises a two-way exchange of views rather than simply asking for information.

常見錯誤

❌I consulted with the dictionary.
✅I consulted the dictionary.
💡'Consult with' implies discussion between people, not using a reference source.
❌She consulted to her manager.
✅She consulted with her manager.
💡The correct preposition is 'with', not 'to'.

3. to work as an expert who is paid to give professional advice in a particular are

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to work as an expert who is paid to give professional advice in a particular area, such as medicine, finance, or technology

例句

After retiring from teaching, Eleni now consults for several private schools.

consult for + organisation (provide advice)

The software company hired a security expert to consult on their new system.

consult on + topic/area

同義詞

文法句型

consult + as + role

consult + for + organisation

consult + on + topic

用法筆記

The subject is the person giving advice, unlike senses 1 and 2 where the subject is the person seeking advice. This sense typically appears in business or professional contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I need to consult for a doctor about my pain.
✅I need to consult a doctor about my pain.
💡Sense 3 means 'give advice,' not 'get advice.' Use sense 1 to seek help.

consult — noun