a serious consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential negative outcomes of an action or decision. Example: "Failing to follow safety protocols can lead to a serious consequence for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Bone metastases, or the spread of cancer to the bone, are a serious consequence of breast cancer.

The New York Times

Charles McGrath (July 29) left out a serious consequence of the unequal treatment of women on the golf course.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Such a serious consequence, he said, is an unlikely outcome of a skin infection, whose symptoms would typically be limited to redness, pain and pus).

The New York Times

Stroke can be a serious consequence of RCVS.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

However, as software continues to infiltrate nearly every industry, there's a serious consequence taking shape.

TechCrunch

Airway remodelling is increasingly recognised to be a serious consequence of chronic asthma.

Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

A more serious consequence was legislation by the state governments of Arkansas and California.

Wikipedia

While the clinical symptoms of dryness and desquamation of the skin are annoying at best, a more serious consequence could be impaired fetal brain and visual development.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"A default is a much more serious consequence than a government shutdown".

Huffington Post

Postoperative acute kidney injury is a frequent and serious consequence of cardiac surgery.

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Hip fractures are a common and serious consequence of osteoporosis.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious consequence", ensure the context provides sufficient detail about the nature and scope of the consequence. Specificity enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious consequence" without specifying what makes the consequence 'serious'. Instead of saying 'There will be a serious consequence', detail the specific negative outcomes that will occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious consequence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies a significant negative result or outcome. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious consequence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a significant negative outcome. Ludwig highlights that its usage spans across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "a grave outcome" or "a significant repercussion" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. It's crucial to use the phrase with specificity, detailing the nature of the consequence to maximize its impact and avoid vagueness. Therefore, while this phrase is acceptable, writers should always ensure context and detail are provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave outcome

Emphasizes the severity and potentially irreversible nature of the result.

a dire result

Highlights the extremely negative and urgent nature of the consequence.

a significant repercussion

Focuses on the broad and lasting impact of the consequence.

a critical fallout

Suggests a widespread and potentially chaotic aftermath.

a damaging effect

Highlights the harm or impairment caused by the consequence.

a costly ramification

Emphasizes the expense or sacrifice resulting from the consequence.

a negative impact

A general term for an adverse effect or influence.

an unfortunate development

Downplays the severity, framing the consequence as undesirable but perhaps not catastrophic.

an adverse outcome

A formal and neutral way of describing a negative result.

a regrettable result

Implies sorrow or disappointment about the consequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious consequence" to describe the negative outcome of an action or event. For example: "Ignoring safety protocols can have "a serious consequence" for worker safety."

What are some alternatives to "a serious consequence"?

Alternatives include "a grave outcome", "a dire result", or "a significant repercussion", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it better to use "serious consequence" or "a serious consequence"?

The use of the article "a" depends on the context. Use "a serious consequence" when referring to one specific outcome. You can omit the article when speaking about the concept in general, but using the article is typically better for clarity.

What makes "a serious consequence" different from "a negative consequence"?

"A serious consequence" implies a greater degree of severity and potential for harm compared to "a negative consequence". The former suggests significant repercussions, while the latter simply indicates an undesirable outcome.