The verb “consult” has three different meanings and accordingly behaves in three different ways. It is important to ensure your grammar and sentence structure match the meaning you intend.
1. “Consult” usually means “to seek advice or information”. It is a transitive verb, which means it needs an object (i.e. you have to consult somebody or something).
WRONG
Would the employer be obliged to consult before reducing pay?
RIGHT
Would the employer be obliged to consult the employee representatives before reducing pay?
You can also consult a dictionary, an encyclopedia, or any other written reference.
E.g.: If you don’t know how to spell a word, consult a dictionary.
Always put the person or thing being consulted after the word “consult”:
WRONG
We recommend consulting the transaction with the works council.
RIGHT
We recommend consulting the works council about the transaction.
In sentences like this, consult with is incorrect. Instead use about or for.
You consult somebody about …
E.g.: The employer must consult the employee representatives about reducing pay.
You consult something for …
E.g.: He consulted the company website for information on internships.
More examples:
WRONG
Please find below our comments regarding consulting with the shareholders the planned merger.
RIGHT
Please find below our comments regarding consulting the shareholders about the planned merger.
WRONG
If TOP Retail consults the transaction with the employee representatives from GoAuto only it may be viewed that it did not follow the consultation procedure properly.
RIGHT
If TOP Retail consults only the employee representatives from GoAuto about the transaction it may be viewed that it did not follow the consultation procedure properly.
In this example the word “only” has also been moved to keep the sense of the sentence.
2. You can only use consult with when “consult” means “discuss something in order to make a decision”. In this case it is an intransitive verb (i.e. it has no object), so you cannot write anything between the words “consult” and “with”:
E.g.: He consulted with his lawyer for 15 minutes before returning to the meeting.
3. “To consult” can also mean “to act as a consultant”. In this case it is also an intransitive verb. It may be followed by “for”:
E.g.: He retired last year, but still consults for his old firm.
Common Mistakes in Business English 
Good advice, crisp.
Good information was given by you. Thank you very much, gonna bookmark this site.
What about when “consult” is used as a noun? It’s even pronounced differently, with the emphasis on the first syllable as opposed to the second. E.G.: “We have a consult with Ms McGillicuddy at noon.”
Yes – you’re right. I guess, regarding pronunciation, you mean the stress is on the first syllable.
Yikes!
As a Brit, I would say the correct noun is ‘consultation’ and that ‘consult’ is always a verb 🙂
I agree with you Rob – as a Brit. But Americans (and international business) do use “consult” as a noun.
Thank you, it is very helpful
Thank you. This was very helpful.
A lot of people seem to use “to consult” in the third meaning, but then add an object (We consulted the students < We gave the students advice), which of course makes things really confusing.
Really very very beautiful concept. I understood it clearly .Thanks for helping me……
Am I then correct in saying ‘come in for a consult today’ is bad English?
As a Dane who learned British English in school, my opinion is that consult is not a noun and it grates on my nerves to hear someone say ‘one on one consults to discuss…’ To me, in that sentence, it should clearly say ‘consultation’.
I’m with you Jenna!
Whether it’s bad English is a matter of opinion. I personally don’t like it, and would recommend “consultation”, especially in formal communication. Perhaps it’s OK as spoken language, but as written language, it may be considered bad English – it depends on the audience.
Hi ;
Is this sentence correct ?
The final draft of the presentation may be consulted as a memory aid ?
please advice
Yes, I believe it is correct. The sentence is in the passive voice, but may be converted into the active voice as follows: “You may consult the final draft of the presentation as a memory aid.” So it follows the rule given in the post about consulting a dictionary, encyclopedia or other written reference.
Careful how you use the word “advice”. “Advise” is the verb; “advice” is the noun. So we write “Please advise” 🙂
Can you write “Here to consult you!” ? Should it not be “Here to consult with you”?
This is the context that “I” am here to offer advice. “I am here to consult you”
Hi Thomas,
I wouldn’t use “consult” like that. To my mind it is incorrect, and it is certainly misleading, as it sounds like you are going to consult them, not the other way round. I suggest “Here to advise you” or “Here for you to consult” – as that seems to be what you mean.