a negative outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negative outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing results or consequences that are unfavorable or undesirable. Example: "If we do not address the issues promptly, we may face a negative outcome in the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obvious but thinking negatively normally leads to a negative outcome.

WikiHow

If a doctor uses a treatment with a clinically verified high rate of success but presents it in a negative light, the probability of a negative outcome increases.

Huffington Post

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

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

"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

"If there is a negative outcome to the federal investigation, one of the chits he has at his disposal is the fact that he is the governor".

The New York Times

Now sensitized to a negative outcome, parents tended to hold back and not become as emotionally involved in a subsequent pregnancy.

The New York Times - Health

We never once left a game at the old Yankee Stadium early, even when other spectators, convinced of a negative outcome, departed before the final inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, use "a negative outcome" to clearly communicate the possibility of an undesirable result. This helps in risk assessment and mitigation planning.

Common error

While "a negative outcome" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Vary your language by using more precise terms like "adverse consequence" or "detrimental effect" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negative outcome" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies an undesirable or unfavorable result of a process, action, or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

59%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negative outcome" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an undesirable or unfavorable result. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more precise language where appropriate to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "an adverse consequence" or "a detrimental effect" can add nuance. By understanding the function and usage patterns of "a negative outcome", writers can effectively communicate potential risks and undesirable results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an adverse consequence

Replaces "outcome" with "consequence" and "negative" with "adverse", emphasizing the resulting effect.

an unfavorable result

Substitutes "negative" with "unfavorable" and "outcome" with "result", focusing on the undesirable nature of the finding.

a detrimental effect

Emphasizes the damaging impact, using "detrimental" instead of "negative" and "effect" instead of "outcome".

an undesirable development

Highlights the unwelcome nature of the situation, with "undesirable" replacing "negative" and "development" replacing "outcome".

a poor result

Uses a simpler term, "poor", instead of "negative" to describe the outcome.

an unfortunate consequence

Highlights the unlucky aspect of the outcome, replacing "negative" with "unfortunate".

a disappointing result

Focuses on the feeling of letdown associated with the outcome.

a bad consequence

Uses a very general term "bad" to define the type of outcome

a damaging effect

Emphasizes the harm caused by the outcome, using "damaging" instead of "negative" and "effect" instead of "outcome".

a suboptimal result

Indicates the outcome is less than ideal or not the best possible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a negative outcome" to describe an undesirable result. For example, "Failing to address the problem promptly may lead to "a negative outcome" for the entire project".

What can I say instead of "a negative outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "an adverse consequence", "an unfavorable result", or "a detrimental effect depending on the context".

Is it always appropriate to use "a negative outcome" in professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "a negative outcome" can sometimes sound generic. Consider using more specific terms that accurately reflect the nature of the result, such as "a financial loss" or "a decreased efficiency".

What's the difference between "a negative outcome" and "a neutral outcome"?

"A negative outcome" indicates an undesirable result, while "a neutral outcome" suggests that the result is neither good nor bad, but rather has no significant effect.