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Araselvan Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Consult - see or provide

It seems the word consult is used for both seeking advice and giving advice.
Which is correct? The word consult means

a) seek advice

b) provide advice

c) both a &b

If it menas both how do I know what the consult means in the following sentence?

I consulted Mr. X.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

In my opinion, "I consulted Mr. X" can only mean "I sought advice/information from Mr. " If there's a direct object, "consult" almost certainly means a .

— Ozzourti

  • In my opinion, "I consulted Mr.
  • X" can only mean "I sought advice/information from Mr.
  • " If there's a direct object, "consult" almost certainly means a .
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7 Answers
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In my opinion, "I consulted Mr. X" can only mean "I sought advice/information from Mr. X."

If there's a direct object, "consult" almost certainly means a.
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araselvanWhich is correct? The word consult means a) seek advice b) provide advice c) both a &b
a only. I consulted Mr. X. ~ I went to Mr. X to get some advice. ~ I talked to Mr. X to get his opinion on the matter.
araselvanIt seems the word consult is used for both seeking advice and giving advice.
Please give
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Apparently, one of the definitions of "consult" is "give professional or expert advice; serve as consultant." http://www.thefreedictionary.com/consult

However, the verb is always intransitive in this sense.

a retired executive who consults for several large companies

I guess that
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ozzourtithe verb is always intransitive in this sense. ...
I guess that's the meaning araselvan was referring to.
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It should work now.
CalifJimI consulted Mr. X.
Yes, it is transitive in the original example, but not in the one I copied from the dictionary: a retired executive who consults for several large companies.
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ozzourtiIt should work now.
Emotion: yes
CJ
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What I had given was an example. In real world, I heard people use the word consult to mean both(seek as well as give). So, I needed the clarification from the experts.

Thank you.
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