an unfortunate consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unfortunate consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a negative outcome that results from a particular action or situation. Example: "The decision to cut funding for the program led to an unfortunate consequence: many students lost access to essential resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lesley Bourns, policy analysis and innovation, United Nations OCHA New York, US An unfortunate consequence of pressures on the industry to be more risk adverse, meet deadlines, and not run over budget means we are no longer reaching the most vulnerable people.

The Guardian

This has an unfortunate consequence.

The Economist

This was an unfortunate consequence of its design.

The New York Times

Pain is not an unfortunate consequence of policies, it's what is supposed to happen.

The New York Times

As an unfortunate consequence, a whole generation learned to ridicule and ignore all governmental advice on the subject.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We'll go back to fighting it out in the court system, which is an unfortunate consequence," she said.

The New York Times

The world's victory over smallpox has had an unfortunate consequence: monkeypox cases are surging in tropical Africa.

The New York Times - Health

This is treated as an unfortunate consequence of that growing apart, but it actually feels fundamental rather than catalytic, as it probably would in real life.

The Guardian - Film

That Thomas landed hard and bruised his lower back was an unfortunate consequence, but Wilkens said he has no beef with Collins, the Nets' center.

The New York Times - Sports

Supermarkets are structurally incapable of radically cutting food waste in any radical way because it is, quite simply, an unfortunate consequence of their modus operandi.

The Guardian - Opinion

A spokeswoman said the experience in New Orleans was an unfortunate consequence of bad weather and not representative of other stops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unfortunate consequence", ensure the connection between the action and the result is clear to avoid ambiguity. Provide context so that the reader understands the relationship.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "an unfortunate consequence" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "a regrettable outcome" or "an undesirable result" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unfortunate consequence" primarily functions as a noun phrase serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes a negative outcome resulting from a particular action or event. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unfortunate consequence" is a widely used phrase to denote a negative outcome resulting from a specific action or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business writing. While alternatives like "a regrettable outcome" or "an undesirable result" exist, choosing "an unfortunate consequence" often adds a touch of formality and precision. Remember to maintain clarity in the causal relationship when employing this phrase and avoid overuse to prevent redundancy in your writing. The phrase's high frequency across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its relevance and acceptability in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regrettable outcome

Replaces "unfortunate" with "regrettable", focusing on the feeling of sorrow or disappointment associated with the outcome.

an undesirable result

Substitutes "unfortunate consequence" with a more general term, emphasizing the negative or unwanted nature of the result.

a negative repercussion

Replaces "consequence" with "repercussion", highlighting the after-effects or impact of an action, specifically in a negative sense.

a detrimental effect

Focuses on the damaging or harmful nature of the outcome, using "detrimental" to emphasize the negative impact.

an adverse development

Highlights the unfavorable or disadvantageous nature of the development or situation that arises.

an unwelcome outcome

Emphasizes the lack of acceptance or desire for the particular outcome.

a painful byproduct

Uses "byproduct" to suggest that the consequence is an unintended result, and "painful" to denote its negative impact.

an unintended side effect

Highlights that the consequence was not the primary goal or intention but rather an unexpected and negative result.

a casualty of circumstance

Presents the consequence as a result of external factors or events, suggesting a lack of direct control or intention.

a negative externality

Uses economic terminology to describe a cost or consequence that affects a third party who did not choose to incur that cost.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unfortunate consequence" to describe a negative outcome resulting from a specific action or situation. For example, "The budget cuts had an unfortunate consequence: the library had to reduce its operating hours."

What are some alternatives to "an unfortunate consequence"?

Alternatives include "a regrettable outcome", "an undesirable result", or "a negative repercussion". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "unfortunate consequence" or "unfortunate result"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Consequence" often implies a more direct causal relationship, while "result" is a more general term. Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

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

"An unfortunate consequence" simply means a negative result. "An unintended consequence" specifies that the negative result was not planned or foreseen. The latter adds a layer of surprise or lack of foresight.