balance of consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

"balance of consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to the positive and negative repercussions of a situation, action, or decision. For example, "We must consider the balance of consequences for this decision before we make it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That was the moment Mulcahy blinked when he should have had his eyes wide open to what Koeppe called "the balance of consequences".

The New York Times

And fifth, what will often be the hardest legitimacy test to satisfy, balance of consequences: will those at risk ultimately be better or worse off, and the scale of suffering greater or less?

Harvard University

Five criteria have been long on the table: that the harm feared is serious, that the intent to address that harm is genuine, that nothing less than military coercion is likely to succeed, that force be applied proportionally to the harm feared, and that the net balance of consequences is likely to be positive.

The New York Times

It's all for naught if you don't change the balance of consequences as well.

Forbes

They do them again because of the balance of consequences: rewarding or punishing desirable or undesirable behavior.

Forbes

With Lebanon and Iraq already simmering, the "balance of consequences" argument against any sort of direct military intervention is still a powerful one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mill and subsequent utilitarians mean that an action or practice is right (when compared with any alternative action or practice) if it leads to the greatest possible balance of beneficial consequences (happiness for Mill) or to the least possible balance of bad consequences (unhappiness for Mill).

SEP

The main progress of the economic model presented here is that it captures the clinical, technical, and economic consequences of using HM to monitor CIEDs, and details the balance of costs and consequences.

Europace

Considering these results, one should carefully balance the consequences of bacteriuria in pregnancy against the possible effects of antibiotics, before routinely treating all women with ASB.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"And Obama's warning and Rouhani's charm offensive, as well as what they would see as a hoodwinking of the United States on the nuclear issue, could have far-reaching consequences on the balance-of-power struggle".

The New York Times

While elected officials ban scientific phrases from reports and news stations interview industry-funded deniers in a misplaced search for "balance," the consequences of climate change are already upon us.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use "balance of consequences" when you want to convey a sense of careful consideration and impartiality in evaluating a situation.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on negative repercussions when discussing the "balance of consequences". Ensure you give due consideration to the potential benefits and positive results as well to maintain neutrality and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "balance of consequences" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the state of equilibrium between the positive and negative results or outcomes of a particular action, decision, or situation. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "balance of consequences" is a noun phrase used to describe the equilibrium between the positive and negative outcomes of a situation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal writing. It's most frequently found in news media and scientific contexts and denotes an objective assessment of repercussions. To ensure accuracy and clarity, provide context indicating what is being weighed. While similar phrases like "weighing the outcomes" exist, "balance of consequences" is unique in its explicit emphasis on equilibrium and impartiality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is acceptable for standard use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weighing the outcomes

Focuses on the act of evaluating potential results, rather than the overall equilibrium.

assessing the repercussions

Highlights the impact of actions, often suggesting a more negative or far-reaching effect.

evaluating the results

Centers on judging the worth or significance of the outcomes achieved.

considering the ramifications

Emphasizes the complex and often unforeseen consequences that may arise.

assessing the potential effects

Underscores the uncertainty inherent in predicting outcomes.

calculating the impact

Suggests a more quantitative or measurable approach to evaluating consequences.

measuring the effects

Implies a direct and quantifiable assessment of the results.

determining the impact

Focuses on establishing the degree or extent of the consequences.

analyzing the aftermath

Shifts the focus to the period following an event and its resulting effects.

reviewing the implications

Highlights the broader significance and long-term effects of the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "balance of consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "balance of consequences" to discuss the positive and negative outcomes of a decision, such as: "The committee carefully considered the "balance of consequences" before approving the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "balance of consequences"?

Alternatives include "weighing the outcomes", "assessing the repercussions", or "evaluating the results", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "balance of consequences" most appropriate?

"Balance of consequences" is suitable in contexts requiring formal evaluation, such as policy-making, risk assessment, and strategic planning, where a thorough consideration of both positive and negative outcomes is necessary.

How does "balance of consequences" differ from "unintended consequences"?

"Balance of consequences" involves evaluating all potential outcomes, both intended and unintended, while "unintended consequences" refers specifically to outcomes that were not initially foreseen or planned for.