Consult = look sth. up?

Question

Consultlook sth. upIs the neutral verb consult interchangeable with the phrasal verb look sth. up in the case below? My dictionary suggests it as a possibility: "consult the dictionary". Nevertheless, I have never seen it used before, so I'd like to ask whether it can be used this way."I will look the word up in my dictionary.""I will consult the word in my dictionary."Thank you in advance.

Regards · Accepted Answer

Hi,

MaroldConsultlook sth. upIs the neutral verb consult interchangeable with the phrasal verb look sth. up in the case below? My dictionary suggests it as a possibility: "consult the dictionary". Nevertheless, I have never seen it used before, so I'd like to ask whether it can be used this way."I will look the word up in my dictionary.""I will consult the word in my dictionary."Thank you in advance.

No: the structures are different.

I will look the word up in my dictionary. -- This sentence is grammatical and meaningful.

It means: I will search for the meaning of the word in my dictionary.

I will consult the word in my dictionary. -- This sentence is grammatical, but it doesn't make sense.

You don't want to consult (look for information in) the word. You want to consult your dictionary.

For example, one might say:

Actually, I'm not familiar with that word. I'll have to consult a dictionary. = I'll have to go to my dictionary

to find out what the meaning of that word is.

Regards

Marold · Answer

RegardsActually, I'm not familiar with that word. I'll have to consult a dictionary. = I'll have to go to my dictionary

Oh yes, I know what you mean! This is the reason why I posed such a question, as I wasn't sure about the usage. You made it absolutely clear, thank you very much, Regards.

Consult = look sth. up?

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