a direct consequence of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a direct consequence of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when something has happened that was caused by a prior event or action. For example: "The closure of the factory was a direct consequence of the steep decline in customer demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maternal mortality is often a direct consequence of poverty.

The Guardian

They were a direct consequence of the single currency – they were its intended consequence.

The Guardian - Opinion

His command of line is a direct consequence of a solid uncomplicated action.

The Guardian - Sport

I listened to them as a direct consequence of that, and they were rubbish.

The Guardian - Film

Kitching won the Senate place as a direct consequence of Shorten's support.

The Guardian

That media commentary is a direct consequence of the NSW Electoral Commission's flawed publication.

The Guardian

In reality, it has always been a direct consequence of marginalisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a direct consequence of the war," said James May, president of the airline association.

The New York Times

The fact that real wages are falling is a direct consequence of decades of rising inequality.

The Guardian

Sharpton suggests that this change is a direct consequence of the accomplishments posted by King's father.

The New York Times - Magazine

The strengthening of Hizbullah and Hamas was a direct consequence of that approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid redundancy, ensure the consequence is not already implied in the description of the cause. Stating the obvious weakens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a direct consequence of" when the relationship is merely correlational or contributory rather than definitively causal. Using a more nuanced phrase will maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a direct consequence of" functions as a causal connector, linking an event or situation to its immediate and primary cause. Ludwig AI’s examples show its use in academic, journalistic, and general writing to establish clear cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a direct consequence of" is a commonly used phrase that functions as a causal connector, clearly linking cause and effect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives exist, such as "a direct result of" or "directly attributable to", the choice depends on the desired level of emphasis and formality. When using this phrase, ensure the causal relationship is clear and avoid overstating causation when the link is only correlational.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a direct result of

This alternative replaces "consequence" with "result", maintaining a very high degree of semantic similarity.

a direct outcome of

Substituting "consequence" with "outcome" offers a slightly more neutral connotation while preserving the causal link.

a direct effect of

Using "effect" focuses more on the impact or change produced by the cause.

directly attributable to

This phrase emphasizes the cause and suggests accountability or assignment of responsibility.

a natural corollary of

This implies a more logical or expected consequence, often in academic or formal contexts.

stems directly from

This phrase highlights the origin or root cause of something.

is a byproduct of

This suggests that the consequence is a secondary result, not necessarily intended.

due solely to

This stresses that the consequence is only caused by that certain factor.

brought on directly by

This implies that the consequence was caused and probably negative.

triggered directly by

This expression emphasize the cause and suggests the effect was abrupt.

FAQs

How can I use "a direct consequence of" in a sentence?

Use "a direct consequence of" to explicitly show a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, "The company's bankruptcy was "a direct consequence of" mismanagement and declining sales".

What are some alternatives to "a direct consequence of"?

You can use alternatives like "a direct result of", "directly attributable to", or "a direct outcome of" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

What distinguishes "a direct consequence of" from "an indirect consequence of"?

"A direct consequence of" indicates a clear and immediate causal link, while "an indirect consequence of" suggests the effect is mediated by other factors or is not immediately apparent.

Is it always necessary to use "a direct consequence of", or are there simpler ways to express cause and effect?

While "a direct consequence of" is useful for emphasizing causation, simpler phrases like "because of" or "due to" can often suffice. The choice depends on the level of emphasis and formality required.