an unpleasant consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unpleasant consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing negative outcomes or results that arise from a particular action or situation. Example: "Failing to follow safety protocols can lead to an unpleasant consequence, such as injury or damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One way or the other, from a formal perspective the incompatibility with Ascent may be viewed as an unpleasant consequence of (P.15i), and a reason to go for weaker theories.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He writes that the function of the Tea Party movement was to "ensure that an economic collapse brought on by Wall Street does not result in any unpleasant consequences for Wall Street," while playing down conservative activists' concern with lowering the deficit and cutting government spending.

The New York Times - Books

This has a very unpleasant consequence: Visitors whose Internet security software recognized the threat were immediately warned away.

Forbes

However, for a very small number of regular users, there's a much more unpleasant consequence to contend with.

Vice

The spokesperson added: "Translink supports many employees' fundraising activities for a wide range of causes within the community". Now, to an unexpected and deeply unpleasant consequence of the Primark fire.

BBC

The reality is that there's a very real, very current, very unpleasant consequence to staying private.

TechCrunch

Selecting the a posteriori most probable tree topology may seem a sound alternative, however, with the unpleasant consequence of neglecting all the sampled trees of different topology, and therefore would not provide a satisfactory representation of the posterior.

Bioinformatics

Hendrik Hertzberg, the New Yorker writer who was then a Carter speechwriter, recalls that "one very unpleasant consequence of the speech was that it energized the neoconservative movement".

The New York Times

(In their discussion, examples like the one illustrating the "unpleasant consequence" of EC mentioned in 4.1, above, loom large).

SEP

Her book is both a biography and an account of the (extremely unpleasant) consequences of accusing a respected public figure of sexual harassment.

The Economist

It is into this combustible atmosphere that Hammam has brought his flamboyant style of ownership, with a potential for unpleasant consequences that he may nor may not fully appreciate.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unpleasant consequence" to clearly and directly communicate a negative result stemming from a specific action or decision. This phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "an unpleasant consequence" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a bad result" or "a downside" when speaking informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unpleasant consequence" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a negative result or outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unpleasant consequence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a negative outcome or result. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While suitable for neutral and formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. This phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic sources, signaling its value in conveying potentially negative results to readers in an informative way. Remember to use "an unpleasant consequence" to effectively communicate potential risks or downsides associated with specific situations or actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negative outcome

Focuses on the result being negative, without necessarily implying it was a direct consequence.

an undesirable result

Highlights the lack of desirability rather than the unpleasantness.

an unfortunate repercussion

Emphasizes the indirect and often unexpected nature of the consequence.

a regrettable outcome

Indicates sorrow or disappointment about the result.

an adverse effect

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging nature of the consequence.

a damaging fallout

Highlights the widespread and negative impact of the consequence.

a grave implication

Stresses the seriousness and potential long-term impact of the consequence.

a painful upshot

Focuses on the emotional distress or difficulty caused by the consequence.

a thorny issue

Indicates that the consequence presents a difficult or complex problem to resolve.

a harsh reality

Emphasizes the stark and unavoidable nature of the consequence.

FAQs

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

You can use "an unpleasant consequence" to describe a negative result stemming from a particular action. For example, "Failing to follow safety protocols can lead to "an unpleasant consequence", such as injury or damage."

What are some alternatives to "an unpleasant consequence"?

Some alternatives include "a negative outcome", "an undesirable result", or "an unfortunate repercussion" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an unpleasant consequence" or "a negative result"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "an unpleasant consequence" suggests a more direct and causally linked relationship between an action and its negative outcome compared to "a negative result".

What is the difference between "an unpleasant consequence" and "a side effect"?

"An unpleasant consequence" refers to a direct and often predictable negative outcome, while "a side effect" usually refers to an unintended or secondary negative result.