Negative outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Negative outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an undesirable or unfavorable result of a situation or action. Example: "The experiment did not yield the expected results, leading to a negative outcome for the research team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obvious but thinking negatively normally leads to a negative outcome.

WikiHow

No matter the approach taken, others added, gentrification is the inevitable, negative outcome.

The Guardian

But this potentially disastrous development was reported blandly without even recognising it as a negative outcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

All readings of human history have to allow for the possibility of a negative outcome.

The Guardian - Books

Management at both Triggertrap and Kickstarter recognised a negative outcome for their employees, and abandoned unlimited paid leave accordingly.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said last night that "parking" the process would be a "very negative outcome".

The Guardian

In one respect, this is likely to have a negative outcome.

Independent

Then we monitor them, changing our approach if there's a negative outcome.

The New York Times

In cases where the uncertainty includes a possible negative outcome, women are not pleased by ambiguity.

The New York Times

"But if a person is exposed to an E.A.S., as long as they move through at a normal pace, the likelihood of a negative outcome is very limited".

The New York Times - Health

We focus on the negative outcome, but the military employs a lot of people who perhaps no other employer would touch.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific reports or analyses, use "negative outcome" to objectively describe results that do not support the hypothesis or expected findings.

Common error

While "negative outcome" is suitable for formal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "bad result" or "poor outcome" in casual conversations or informal writing to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative outcome" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify and categorize an undesirable result or consequence. It is frequently used to describe the result of an action, event, or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negative outcome" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an undesirable or unfavorable result. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While "negative outcome" is widely accepted, simpler alternatives such as "adverse result" or "unfavorable result" may be more appropriate in informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality level of your writing and clearly conveys the undesired consequence you intend to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Negative consequence

Simply swaps "outcome" with the highly similar "consequence" without changing the overall meaning.

Adverse result

Replaces "outcome" with "result" and "negative" with "adverse", indicating an undesirable consequence.

Undesirable consequence

Replaces "negative" with "undesirable" and "outcome" with "consequence", emphasizing the unwanted nature of the result.

Unfavorable result

Substitutes "negative" with "unfavorable", indicating a lack of advantage or positivity in the result.

Poor outcome

Uses "poor" as a synonym for "negative", suggesting a substandard or deficient result.

Detrimental effect

Focuses on the harmful impact of the result, using "detrimental" to describe the effect.

Unsuccessful result

Similar to "failed result", but more formal, indicating a lack of success.

Bad result

Uses the simpler term "bad" to describe the outcome, making it less formal.

Failed result

Highlights the failure aspect of the outcome, suggesting it did not achieve the intended goal.

Disadvantageous effect

Emphasizes the lack of advantage caused by the effect, suggesting a setback.

FAQs

How can I use "Negative outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "negative outcome" to describe an undesirable result. For example, "The lack of preparation led to a "negative outcome" in the project."

What are some alternatives to "Negative outcome"?

Some alternatives include "adverse result", "undesirable consequence", or "unfavorable result". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "Negative outcome"?

The phrase "Negative outcome" is suitable in formal, scientific, and professional contexts when describing undesirable results or consequences. It's less common in casual conversation.

Is "Negative outcome" the same as "Side effect"?

While both phrases describe unwanted effects, "negative outcome" is broader. "Side effect" typically refers to unintended consequences, especially in medical contexts, while "negative outcome" can apply to any undesirable result.