an unavoidable consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unavoidable consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that cannot be avoided or prevented, often in discussions about cause and effect. Example: "The increase in pollution is an unavoidable consequence of industrial growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Postoperative pain is an unavoidable consequence of open abdominal surgery.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

He said such leakage was "an unavoidable consequence of the lack of ground troops".

The Guardian

Mass shootings may be an unavoidable consequence of life, but Donald Trump's cloddish buffoonery is not.

The New Yorker

"Some in the medical field look upon these deaths as an unavoidable consequence of giving care.

The New York Times

In Terror in Chechnya, Gilligan challenges Russian claims that civilian casualties in Chechnya were an unavoidable consequence of civil war.

Princeton University

However, in his desire to seek a new challenge, relinquishing some home comforts is an unavoidable consequence.

The Guardian - Sport

But other changes in a man's reproductive health are just an unavoidable consequence of the march of time.

The Washington Post

Sad to say, the spike cannot be rationalised as an unavoidable consequence of the spectacular economic shock in 2008.

Independent

Any effective protest inevitably causes a degree of disruption and inconvenience: it is an unavoidable consequence of the right to protest, which is a cornerstone of our democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a freelance music journalist in the early 1990s, torpor seemed an unavoidable consequence of fun times (too many gigs, too many indulgent late nights).

The Guardian - Opinion

Destroying it would have been no more than an unavoidable consequence of what I really hoped to achieve with the axe that night.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unavoidable consequence" when you want to emphasize that a particular outcome is inevitable and cannot be prevented due to certain preceding factors. It's especially effective in formal writing and when discussing cause-and-effect relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "an unavoidable consequence" to describe situations where alternative actions could have altered the outcome. Ensure the situation truly lacks viable alternatives before characterizing it as inevitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unavoidable consequence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a result that is impossible to prevent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unavoidable consequence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an outcome that is impossible to prevent. Ludwig AI states the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the outcome truly lacked alternative possibilities. Related phrases like ""an inevitable result"" or ""a necessary outcome"" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. Misuse is most common when describing situations where alternative actions were possible. Consider "an unavoidable consequence" as a powerful and effective way to explain cause-and-effect relationships where the outcome is truly inevitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inevitable result

Changes the word 'unavoidable' to 'inevitable', suggesting something is certain to happen.

an unavoidable outcome

Swaps 'consequence' with 'outcome', a more general term for a result.

a necessary outcome

Replaces 'consequence' with 'outcome', emphasizing the necessity of the result.

an inescapable result

Substitutes 'unavoidable' with 'inescapable', highlighting the impossibility of avoiding the outcome.

a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the result was predictable or certain from the beginning.

a natural consequence

Suggests that the outcome is a normal or expected result.

an expected consequence

Implies the outcome was anticipated or predicted.

a direct result

Focuses on the direct causal relationship leading to the outcome.

a logical consequence

Emphasizes the logical connection between the cause and the effect.

a predictable result

Highlights the predictability of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "an unavoidable consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "an unavoidable consequence" to describe situations where a specific outcome is inevitable due to preceding events or conditions. For example: "The increase in traffic congestion is "an unavoidable consequence" of rapid urban development."

What phrases are similar to "an unavoidable consequence"?

Alternatives include "an inevitable result", "a necessary outcome", or "an inescapable result". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as "an unavoidable consequence"?

No, it's crucial to ensure the outcome genuinely couldn't have been prevented. If there were viable alternative actions, describing it as "an unavoidable consequence" might be inaccurate or misleading.

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

"An unavoidable consequence" refers to an outcome that was impossible to prevent, while "an unintended consequence" simply means the outcome was not planned or foreseen, regardless of whether it could have been avoided.