Formal English has a vocabulary of its own — and it’s not just about using longer words. It’s about using fixed formal expressions that signal intellectual precision and academic maturity. “Take into consideration” is one of the most powerful of these. But it’s part of a family of expressions that every serious English writer needs.
This post gives you 11 formal expressions (including “take into consideration“) — each with clear meaning and two context-rich examples. These are the phrases that separate good writing from great writing.
Anchor Phrase: Take into consideration
Subject + take(s) + [something] + into consideration
Meaning: To carefully think about or account for a particular factor when making a decision or judgement. More formal than “consider.”
The committee must take the environmental impact into consideration before approving the mining project.
When setting school timings, authorities should take the distance children travel into consideration.
Pattern note: With “take into consideration,” the object (what you’re considering) can go before OR after “into consideration.” Both are correct: “Take the costs into consideration” OR “Take into consideration the costs.”
10 More Sophisticated Formal Expressions — Same Pattern, Different Power
- Take into account (Synonym of ‘take into consideration’)
To include a specific factor in your thinking or analysis. Interchangeable with “take into consideration” but slightly more common in speech.
EXAMPLES:
Urban planners must take population density into account when designing metro routes.
The judge took the defendant’s age and background into account before sentencing.
2. Bear in mind (Reminder / caution phrase)
To remember or keep something in your awareness, especially before acting. Often used to add a caution or caveat.
EXAMPLES:
Bear in mind that railway ticket prices may increase during the festival season.
Bear in mind that the data was collected five years ago and may need updating.
3. Draw a distinction between (Analytical / argumentative)
To identify and explain the key difference between two things — a critical thinking phrase used in essays and formal analysis.
EXAMPLES:
We must draw a clear distinction between poverty as lack of income and poverty as lack of opportunity.
The report draws a distinction between short-term economic recovery and long-term sustainability.
4. Shed light on (Explanatory / academic)
To reveal new information or make something clearer that was previously unclear or hidden.
EXAMPLES:
The RTI findings shed light on the widespread irregularities in the subsidy allocation process.
This study sheds light on how early childhood nutrition affects cognitive development.
5. Call into question (Critical / argumentative)
To cause doubt about the truth, reliability, or validity of something. Frequently used in critical writing and journalism.
EXAMPLES:
The auditor’s report called into question the transparency of the election funding process.
New evidence has called into question the reliability of the earlier clinical trial results.
6. Come to terms with (Psychological / reflective)
To accept something difficult or unpleasant as reality after a period of adjustment.
EXAMPLES:
Many families are still coming to terms with the economic loss caused by the second wave of the pandemic.
The team struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss of their coach mid-season.
7. Give rise to (Cause-and-effect writing)
To cause or produce something, especially something significant. Preferred over “cause” in formal writing.
EXAMPLES:
Rapid industrialisation in the Ganges belt has given rise to serious water pollution concerns.
The financial crisis gave rise to a wave of regulatory reforms across the banking sector.
8. Make a case for (Argumentative / persuasive)
To present evidence and reasoning in support of something. Often used in essays, speeches, and formal proposals.
EXAMPLES:
The economist made a compelling case for increasing public investment in primary education.
The report makes a strong case for extending paid parental leave to all workers.
9. Hold true (Generalisation / analytical)
To remain valid or accurate in a given context or under certain conditions. Used when extending a general principle.
EXAMPLES:
The principle that access to education reduces poverty holds true across all states in India.
This economic theory holds true in developed markets but may not apply in emerging ones.
10. Take precedence over (Priority / comparative)
To be considered more important than something else; to come first in order of priority.
EXAMPLES:
In the Supreme Court’s ruling, constitutional rights take precedence over state government directives.
Patient safety must always take precedence over cost-cutting measures in healthcare.
Quick Register Guide
| Expression | Best Used In | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Take into consideration | Reports, essays, speeches | High |
| Take into account | Analysis, conversation, essays | High |
| Bear in mind | Advice, memos, discussions | Medium–High |
| Draw a distinction | Academic essays, debates | Very High |
| Shed light on | Research, journalism, essays | High |
| Call into question | Critical writing, journalism | High |
| Come to terms with | Personal essays, literature | Medium |
| Give rise to | Cause-effect writing, reports | Very High |
| Make a case for | Arguments, persuasive writing | High |
| Hold true | Academic writing, theory | Very High |
| Take precedence over | Policy, legal, academic | Very High |
IELTS/academic writing tip: Replacing informal phrases with these expressions can push your writing from Band 6 to Band 7+. Instead of “think about,” write “take into consideration.” Instead of “cause,” write “give rise to.” The shift is small in effort, enormous in impact.
These formal expressions work powerfully alongside conditional structures. Explore Provided That and 10 Conditional Phrases to build complete formal arguments. Also see On the One Hand…On the Other Hand and 20 Hand Expressions for more sophisticated discourse tools.