An unavoidable consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "An unavoidable consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that cannot be avoided or prevented, often in discussions about cause and effect. Example: "If we continue to ignore climate change, rising sea levels will be an unavoidable consequence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An unavoidable consequence is that the TREAT p-values do not follow perfectly the traditional uniform distribution for genes which are genuinely not differentially expressed.

Bioinformatics

This might be termed the permissive society, but can also be viewed as an unavoidable consequence of an obsession with free will.

The Guardian - Books

Postoperative pain is an unavoidable consequence of open abdominal surgery.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

He said such leakage was "an unavoidable consequence of the lack of ground troops".

The Guardian

Mass shootings may be an unavoidable consequence of life, but Donald Trump's cloddish buffoonery is not.

The New Yorker

"Some in the medical field look upon these deaths as an unavoidable consequence of giving care.

The New York Times

In Terror in Chechnya, Gilligan challenges Russian claims that civilian casualties in Chechnya were an unavoidable consequence of civil war.

Princeton University

However, in his desire to seek a new challenge, relinquishing some home comforts is an unavoidable consequence.

The Guardian - Sport

But other changes in a man's reproductive health are just an unavoidable consequence of the march of time.

The Washington Post

Sad to say, the spike cannot be rationalised as an unavoidable consequence of the spectacular economic shock in 2008.

Independent

Any effective protest inevitably causes a degree of disruption and inconvenience: it is an unavoidable consequence of the right to protest, which is a cornerstone of our democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unavoidable consequence", ensure the cause-and-effect relationship is clear and logical to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "an unavoidable consequence" when the outcome could realistically have been prevented or mitigated through different actions or decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unavoidable consequence" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes an outcome that cannot be prevented, often linking a cause to its inevitable effect as shown by the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unavoidable consequence" is a common phrase used to describe an outcome that is impossible to prevent, often resulting from a clear cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used across various registers, though most frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While it's important to ensure the outcome truly could not have been prevented, mastering the use of this phrase can add precision and clarity to your writing. Related phrases include "an inevitable result" and "a necessary outcome", offering slight variations in meaning to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An inevitable result

Replaces "unavoidable" with "inevitable", emphasizing the certainty of the outcome.

A necessary outcome

Focuses on the compulsory nature of the result, suggesting it cannot be done without.

An inescapable conclusion

Highlights the inability to avoid arriving at a particular judgment or understanding.

A natural consequence

Suggests the outcome is a predictable and logical result of preceding events.

An expected result

Implies the outcome was anticipated or foreseen.

A direct effect

Emphasizes the immediate and causal relationship between the action and the outcome.

A logical outcome

Stresses the rational and reasonable connection between cause and effect.

A foregone conclusion

Indicates the outcome was determined or certain from the beginning.

The price to pay

Highlights the negative aspect of consequence implying it is a sacrifice or cost.

The natural order of things

Presents the outcome as an inherent part of the universe or a system.

FAQs

How to use "an unavoidable consequence" in a sentence?

Use "an unavoidable consequence" to describe a result that is impossible to prevent, such as: "Rising sea levels are "an unavoidable consequence" of climate change."

What can I say instead of "an unavoidable consequence"?

You can use alternatives like "an inevitable result", "a necessary outcome", or "a natural consequence depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an unavoidable consequence of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "an unavoidable consequence of" is used to link a cause to its inevitable effect, for example: "The increase in traffic is "an unavoidable consequence of" urban expansion."

What's the difference between "an unavoidable consequence" and "a foreseeable consequence"?

"An unavoidable consequence" implies the outcome could not be prevented, while "a foreseeable consequence" suggests the outcome was predictable but not necessarily prevented. Foreseeable consequences might be mitigated with planning.