a significant negative consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant negative consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the adverse effects or outcomes of a particular action, decision, or event. Example: "The new policy may lead to a significant negative consequence for employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A significant negative consequence of global trade for countries in transition is an inappropriate, unhealthy diet high in saturated fat and low in complex carbohydrates [ 16], and a rise in obesity rates.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dawson et al. (2011) conclude that such anticipatory SCRs may reflect the conscious expectancy of a stimulus with a possible significant (negative) consequence or outcome.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

(Barr said that the only potentially significant negative consequence of colic is child abuse.

The New Yorker

Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency among Indian preschool children contributing to increased burden of morbidity and mortality and the most significant negative consequence of iron deficiency is iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

BMC Pediatrics

Acute postoperative pain is a common clinical condition that, when poorly controlled, can result in a number of significant negative consequences.

The Journal of Pain

A number of economists contend such a move would have significant negative consequences for Beijing and Washington.

Huffington Post

Alcoholism is characterized by a lack of control over excessive alcohol consumption despite significant negative consequences, a pattern of behavior that implies weak top-down executive control over impulsive and compulsive urges to consume alcohol, and a strong bottom-up appetitive drive that produces those urges.

Alcohol research : current reviews

Since deprivation along these dimensions can have significant negative consequences on a child's development and future, an examination of multidimensional child poverty and associated disparities is clearly warranted.

Unicef

"But there is a slippery slope and there are potentially significant negative consequences".

The New York Times

Last month, a US memorandum warned European governments against supporting the Palestinian bid, saying such a move "would be extremely counterproductive" and threatening "significant negative consequences" for the Palestinian Authority, including financial sanctions.

The Guardian

The United States has warned European governments against supporting a Palestinian bid for enhanced status at the United Nations, saying such a move "would be extremely counterproductive" and threatening "significant negative consequences" for the Palestinian Authority, including financial sanctions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant negative consequence" to introduce a specific, detrimental result that should be carefully considered.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "a significant negative consequence" in casual conversation may sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "a major problem" or "a big issue" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant negative consequence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant negative consequence" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase suitable for describing notably adverse outcomes across various contexts. Ludwig AI validates its usability and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources, including science, news, and formal business publications. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the severity and importance of the negative outcome you are describing. Alternatives include "a major adverse effect" or "a serious detrimental outcome", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major adverse effect

Replaces "significant" with "major" and "consequence" with "effect", emphasizing the impact as adverse.

a serious detrimental outcome

Uses "serious" instead of "significant" and "detrimental outcome" instead of "negative consequence", highlighting the severity of the result.

an important adverse effect

Replaces "significant" with "important" and "consequence" with "effect", keeping a similar tone but using slightly different terms.

a substantial adverse ramification

Substitutes "significant" with "substantial" and "negative consequence" with "adverse ramification", indicating a considerable negative impact.

a considerable detrimental impact

Uses "considerable" to suggest that the negative impact is quite large and noticeable.

a profound negative implication

Emphasizes the depth and reach of the negative consequences, using "profound" to suggest a far-reaching impact.

a notable downside

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression, "notable downside", indicating a significant disadvantage.

a key negative repercussion

Emphasizes that the repercussion is negative and important, using "key" to highlight its significance.

a critical drawback

Highlights the severity of the negative aspect by terming it as "critical drawback".

a primary negative result

Focuses on the result being negative and of primary importance.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant negative consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "a significant negative consequence" to describe a serious adverse outcome resulting from a particular action or event. For example: "The budget cuts had "a significant negative consequence" on the quality of education."

What are some alternatives to "a significant negative consequence"?

Alternatives include "a major adverse effect", "a serious detrimental outcome", or "a substantial adverse ramification". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "impact" or "consequence" when discussing negative outcomes?

"Impact" generally refers to the effect of something, while "consequence" implies a result that follows from an action or decision. Both can be used to describe negative outcomes, but "consequence" is often more appropriate when there is a direct causal link.

What is the difference between "a negative consequence" and "a significant negative consequence"?

Adding "significant" emphasizes that the negative outcome is particularly important or noteworthy. "A negative consequence" simply indicates an unfavorable result, while ""a significant negative consequence"" highlights its severity or importance.