What is the difference between (ponder) and (consider)?

[edonnelly]

Some might feel that "consider" involves more focused thinking about something while "ponder" means more randomness to the thought process. e.g., when she "considers" the situation, she is sitting at her desk, looking at paperwork about it, making notes and similar things, but while she "ponders" the situation she's lying on the beach, looking up at the clouds, casually thinking about the situation. All of that may be stretching things, though, and I think most speakers and writers would use the two terms synonymously.

[jswilkmd]

I think the biggest difference between the words is that "consider" implies making a decision of some sort, whereas "ponder" simply means to think in depth about something, without necessarily the need to decide something.

[spiphany]

Perhaps I'm being obtuse here, but why is this in the "learning Greek" forum?