assess the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assess the consequences" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that involves determining the effects of something, especially something negative or undesirable. For example, "We must assess the consequences before moving forward with the proposed plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We will assess the consequences of the election result, calmly," he said.

The New York Times

Wright's problem was that he was unable to assess the consequences of the intelligence losses.

The New Yorker

To assess the consequences of nitrate withdrawal in angina-free and hemodynamically stable coronary patients.

Chest

To assess the consequences of unplanned extubation (UE) in the ICU.

Chest

Research is required to assess the consequences of falling and fear of falling.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Hence, currently we cannot assess the consequences of species loss under global change for forest functioning.

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

Redwood City, the headquarters of Oracle, Excite@Home and Napster, imposed a moratorium on most new office development to assess the consequences of such growth.

The New York Times

As China begins to assess the consequences of the 2013 quake, it will be measuring itself in more ways than one.

The New Yorker

It appears to assess the consequences of a Trump victory as a bit worse than 9/11, and roughly comparable to the onset of the Iraq War.

The New York Times

Lawyers who are busily debating legality without first trying to assess the consequences of the program have put the cart before the horse.

The New York Times

We are still learning about the events of 9/11, and in truth, 10 years is a short window to assess the consequences of those attacks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assess the consequences", ensure you clearly define what action or event the consequences stem from to provide context for your assessment.

Common error

When you "assess the consequences", be sure to consider both the direct and indirect effects, as well as any potential long-term or unintended outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assess the consequences" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of evaluating or determining the effects or outcomes of a particular action, decision, or situation. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to describe determining effects, especially if they are negative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "assess the consequences" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in science and news media. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. As a verb phrase, it functions to encourage careful evaluation of potential outcomes before taking action. The phrase has a neutral to formal register and is valuable in contexts requiring thoughtful consideration. Remember to consider both direct and indirect effects and avoid overlooking potential long-term results when you "assess the consequences".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaluate the ramifications

Replaces "assess" with "evaluate" and "consequences" with "ramifications", both implying a careful consideration of potential outcomes.

determine the impact

Focuses on the 'impact' which is a direct consequence, and uses "determine" as a stronger assessment verb.

consider the repercussions

"Repercussions" is used instead of "consequences", implying a knock-on effect, and "consider" softens the assessment.

weigh the outcomes

Uses "weigh" to mean assess, and "outcomes" instead of consequences, focusing on the results.

gauge the effects

Substitutes "assess" with "gauge", suggesting a measurement or estimation of the "effects".

analyze the results

Focuses on analyzing tangible results instead of broader consequences.

examine the aftermath

Shifts the focus to the period following an event, examining what occurred as a result.

investigate the implications

"Implications" are examined rather than general consequences, suggesting a deeper inquiry.

understand the effects

Emphasizes comprehension of effects rather than a formal assessment.

explore the potential impact

Shifts the focus to a more exploratory approach looking at the potential, rather than known, impacts.

FAQs

How can I use "assess the consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "assess the consequences" to indicate the evaluation of potential outcomes. For example, "Before implementing the new policy, we must "assess the consequences" of its adoption".

What are some alternatives to "assess the consequences"?

Alternatives include phrases like "evaluate the ramifications", "determine the impact", or "consider the repercussions". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

What is the difference between "assess the consequences" and "evaluate the results"?

"Assess the consequences" typically refers to evaluating potential future outcomes, while "evaluate the results" focuses on analyzing outcomes that have already occurred.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "assess the consequences"?

It is most appropriate to use "assess the consequences" when you need to carefully consider the potential effects of a decision, action, or event, especially when those effects are uncertain or could be negative.