a predictable consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a predictable consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing outcomes that can be anticipated based on certain actions or events. Example: "If we continue to ignore the warning signs, a predictable consequence will be a decline in public health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Violence became a predictable consequence.

The New Yorker

That is a predictable consequence of global warming, he said.

The New York Times

They were a predictable consequence of the kind of crisis we're in; and the unjustified assumption of small multipliers has helped make the crisis worse.

The New York Times

Claiming recent attacks on Muslims and Sikhs are a predictable consequence of terrorism does nothing more than excuse racism in the West.

Independent

"What occurred here was not a predictable consequence of the Alabama system but a veritable perfect storm of misfortune," Justice Alito wrote.

The New York Times

Nadia Saqqaf, the editor of the English-language Yemen Times, which played a key role in bringing Ali's story to light, described the fallout as a predictable consequence of her visit to New York.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's a very predictable consequence of 30 years of making video games a boys club," she added.

Huffington Post

Some of what is perceived as "momentum" toward Mr. Romney is in fact a fairly predictable consequence of the national polls having flipped over to applying likely voter screens at various points between August and October.

The New York Times

Some of what I perceived as "momentum" toward Mr. Romney is a fairly predictable consequence of the national polls having flipped over to applying likely voter screens at various points between August and October.

The New York Times

As Justice Antonin Scalia put it in his dissent in the case, "Make no mistake about it: As an entirely predictable consequence of today's decision, your DNA can be taken and entered into a national DNA database if you are ever arrested, rightly or wrongly, and for whatever reason".

Huffington Post

On polling day the mood in Dhaka was calm, proud and even jolly.Countless lamp-posts, telegraph poles and trees had been draped with lines of string festooned with small, tattered black-and-white election flyers (an unintended if predictable consequence of a ban on colour posters and wall-pasting).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a predictable consequence", ensure that the cause-and-effect relationship is clear and logical to enhance the credibility of your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a predictable consequence" when the outcome, in hindsight, seems obvious but was not necessarily foreseen. The predictability should be evident before the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a predictable consequence" functions as a noun phrase that describes an outcome or result that could have been anticipated. It's often used to highlight the logical connection between an action or event and its expected result. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase and provides examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a predictable consequence" is a useful tool for clearly articulating cause-and-effect relationships. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including news, science, and business. When using the phrase, ensure that the connection between the cause and effect is logical and evident. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's essential to avoid overstating the predictability of an outcome and only use it when the result was genuinely foreseeable. By considering these factors, you can effectively use "a predictable consequence" to strengthen your writing and enhance the clarity of your arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an expected result

Focuses on the expectation of a specific outcome, emphasizing anticipation.

a foreseeable outcome

Highlights the ability to see the outcome in advance, emphasizing foresight.

an anticipated effect

Emphasizes the effect or impact that was expected.

an inevitable outcome

Suggests that the outcome was unavoidable and certain to happen.

a logical conclusion

Highlights the rational and reasoned nature of the outcome.

a natural consequence

Emphasizes the inherent and expected relationship between cause and effect.

a likely result

Focuses on the probability and likelihood of the outcome.

an expected development

Highlights that the outcome is a stage of growth or progress that was expected.

a predetermined result

Focuses on the determination of the result in advance.

a resultant effect

Emphasizes the effect caused by something that has preceded it.

FAQs

How can I use "a predictable consequence" in a sentence?

Use "a predictable consequence" to describe an outcome that logically follows a specific action or event. For example, "The "predictable consequence of" cutting funding for education is a decline in student performance."

What are some alternatives to "a predictable consequence"?

You can use alternatives like "an expected result", "a foreseeable outcome", or "a natural consequence" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a predictable consequence"?

It's appropriate when the outcome is genuinely foreseeable based on available information. Avoid using it when the connection between cause and effect is weak or speculative.

What's the difference between "a predictable consequence" and "an unintended consequence"?

"A predictable consequence" refers to an outcome that was expected or foreseen, while "an unintended consequence" refers to an outcome that was not anticipated.