a severe consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the serious outcomes or effects of an action or decision. Example: "Failing to adhere to safety regulations can lead to a severe consequence for the company, including hefty fines and legal repercussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The mortality risk is high among individuals dependent on heroin, and suicide is a severe consequence of long-term heroin use.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

For sick leave, representing a severe consequence of LBP, we noted a prevalence rate of 10.7% in our study sample, which is lower than that of nursing staffs in Greece (17%) [ 12] and the Netherlands (15%) [ 29].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

For our initial sample calculation we had considered the most restrictive endpoint that is, falls with a severe consequence such as a fracture or head trauma, which are relatively rare events.

British Medical Journal

A severe consequence of this heterogeneity may be found in the many cancers that relapse after treatment [confer the review papers (Hart and Fidler 1981; Dexter and Leith 1986; Heppner and Miller 1983; Stingl and Caldas 2007; Marusyk and Polyak 2010; Shackleton et al. 2009; Pinto et al. 2013)].

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The way we rejiggered the space-time structure had a rather severe consequence: the resulting space-time is no longer a manifold: the topological structure at the point P is different from the topological structure elsewhere.

SEP

It is impossible for schools to create a safe environment for all students when rape results in a less severe consequence than cheating.

Huffington Post

Depression is a common, severe consequence of stroke in affected patients.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Apart from these limitations, neonatal BCG vaccination has a number of adverse effects, i.e. systemic BCGosis, a rare but severe consequence of BCG vaccination in children with immune deficiencies or HIV infection [2].

Plosone

Radiation induced optic neuropathy (RION) is a rare but severe consequence of radiation therapy that is associated with adjuvant chemotherapy, specifically therapy with vincristine or nitrosoureas.

BMC Cancer

Not only the fact that a Baltimore nobody could take out one of the Greek's top men, but also Ziggy's personal transformation from an immature object of ridicule to a person of (rather severe) consequence.

The Guardian

The High risk is a result of the severe consequence of confidentiality breaches, and the high likelihood of this particular threat.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a severe consequence", ensure the context clearly establishes what action or event leads to this consequence. Specificity enhances the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid pairing "a severe consequence" with passive or weak verbs. Instead of "Mistakes can be a severe consequence", try "Mistakes trigger a severe consequence" for stronger writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe consequence" functions as a noun phrase that denotes a significantly negative outcome or result. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase effectively communicates the gravity of a situation, emphasizing the serious ramifications of an action or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe consequence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the seriousness of an outcome. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides examples across various contexts, primarily in science, news, and encyclopedia sources. While applicable in neutral settings, it leans toward formal usage. The phrase's purpose is to emphasize the potential or actual negative impact of an action or event. Remember to use this phrase with strong verbs and ensure a clear link between the action and its resulting consequence to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave outcome

Replaces "consequence" with "outcome" and "severe" with "grave", emphasizing the seriousness of the result.

a dire result

Substitutes "consequence" with "result" and "severe" with "dire", highlighting the calamitous nature of the effect.

a serious repercussion

Replaces "consequence" with "repercussion" and "severe" with "serious", denoting a significant aftereffect.

a critical aftermath

Uses "aftermath" instead of "consequence" and "critical" instead of "severe", pinpointing a crucial period following an event.

a harsh ramification

Replaces "consequence" with "ramification" and "severe" with "harsh", indicating a severe and unwelcome implication.

a major fallout

Substitutes "consequence" with "fallout" and "severe" with "major", stressing the extensive and negative impact.

a significant penalty

Replaces "consequence" with "penalty" and "severe" with "significant", denoting a considerable punishment or disadvantage.

a substantial drawback

Substitutes "consequence" with "drawback" and "severe" with "substantial", highlighting a considerable disadvantageous aspect.

a weighty implication

Replaces "consequence" with "implication" and "severe" with "weighty", indicating a significant and burdensome result.

a damaging outcome

Uses "outcome" instead of "consequence" and "damaging" instead of "severe", emphasizing the harmful effect.

FAQs

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

Use "a severe consequence" to describe a seriously negative outcome of an action or event. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols can result in "a severe consequence" such as a major accident".

What are some alternatives to "a severe consequence"?

Alternatives include "a grave outcome", "a dire result", or "a serious repercussion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "severe consequences" or "serious consequences"?

Both "severe consequences" and "serious consequences" are grammatically correct, but "severe" implies a greater degree of intensity or harshness than "serious". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of impact you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "a severe consequence" and "a negative impact"?

"A severe consequence" typically implies a more direct and significant negative result of a specific action or event, whereas "a negative impact" can refer to a broader and less directly attributable effect. The severity is also greater in "a severe consequence".