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As far as I'm concerned, the following structures mean the exact same thing:

  1. think/consider/account + O + adj/N
  2. think/consider/account + O + to be + adj/N

Is that true, or is there a difference of some sort, e.g. regarding formality?

P.S. Examples in dictionaries:

  1. In English law a person is accounted innocent until they are proved guilty.
  2. The event was accounted a success.
  3. They will take any steps they consider necessary.
  4. She thought him kind and generous.
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  • Could you give an example where all three verbs would be interchangeable, please? "I think/consider/account music to be healing"? The version with "account" is weird.
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Aug 10 at 11:56
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    @Mari-LouA - 'account' is severely old-fashioned OED entry: 6.III.6 trans. To reckon, estimate, value, hold (a thing to be so and so). First entry 1377, last 1865. Practically the same definition is included in those for 'count', as well: To esteem, account, reckon, consider, regard, hold (a thing) to be (so and so), with a similar date range.
    – Michael Harvey
    Commented Aug 10 at 12:56
  • Will you please Post at least two or three examples of real sentences, found in the wild'?
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Commented Aug 10 at 19:47
  • @Mari-LouA Robbie Goodwin Yes, I've added some examples.
    – An IELTS Learner
    Commented Aug 11 at 3:14

1 Answer 1

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Formal, and perhaps, slightly old fashioned:

I think Michael [to be] a fool.
I consider Michael [to be] a fool.
I believe Michael [to be] a fool.

I have shown the words 'to be' in square brackets because they are optional.

Modern, suitable for formal and informal use:

I think/believe Michael is a fool.

Using 'consider' as the verb is more formal. Using 'account' or 'count' is very old-fashioned or archaic, and should be avoided.

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  • I'm learning to write academic essays. Are the first three structures suitable? I mean I want to sound formal, but "old-fashioned" doesn't sound so good.
    – An IELTS Learner
    Commented Aug 10 at 14:13
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    @AnIELTSLearner -they are OK for essays, but perhaps a bit stiff and Victorian for hanging out with your homies.
    – Michael Harvey
    Commented Aug 10 at 14:30
  • Thank you! What about "account"? Too old-fashioned even for essays?
    – An IELTS Learner
    Commented Aug 11 at 0:48
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    @AnIELTSLearner - unless you are pretending it is sometime between 1800 and 1899.
    – Michael Harvey
    Commented Aug 11 at 8:13

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