considérons

Considérons is the first-person plural form of the French verb considérer, used in the imperative mood to mean “let us consider.” As an inclusive imperative, it invites a group to reflect on a topic, examine evidence, or begin an argument collectively. In practice, it functions as a discourse marker that signals a shift to analysis or synthesis in spoken or written French.

Etymology and form: Considérer comes from the Latin considerare, meaning to look at or examine closely. The form considérons carries the acute accent on the é and ends in -ons, aligning with other nous forms of -er verbs. It is one of the few French forms that share its spelling with the present indicative nous form, making it a canonical inclusive invitation in formal or didactic contexts.

Usage and nuances: Considérons appears most often in essays, lectures, debates, or editorial writing, where a speaker or author wishes to engage the audience in collective reasoning. It can introduce a sequence of analytical steps, for example: “Considérons d’abord les faits, puis les conséquences.” It differs from a simple imperative addressing someone else and from the subjunctive que nous considérions, which is more formal or literary and less commonly used to address an audience directly.

Pronunciation: In standard French, consére is pronounced roughly as [kɔ̃.si.de.ʁɔ̃], with the final nasal “ons” sound.

See also: Considérer; imperative mood in French; inclusive imperatives in discourse.