be of great consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of great consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is very important or has significant implications. Example: "The decision to invest in renewable energy will be of great consequence for the future of our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"She's gone from scheduling the White House to scheduling the Mack!" Beyond the bluster and bravado, the rise of Mr. McAuliffe, 43, could be of great consequence to Democrats.

The New York Times

"This is something that could be of great consequence to the building trades," said Gary La Barbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, an umbrella group for the construction unions.

The New York Times

And with enough live-action games being spun off of the occasionally listless action on the field, and the introduction of money, where necessary, to raise the stakes, every pitch of every game would soon be of great consequence to some thousands of digital gamers, somewhere.

The New Yorker

Why then does Pope Benedict, supposedly served by specialists, slip up so often and so badly?Les trois gaffesIf the beliefs and disciplines of the Catholic faith were merely a private concern to the world's 1.2 billion baptised Catholics, the pontiff's remoteness from life's realities might not be of great consequence.

The Economist

Increasing sea level is not predicted to be of great consequence to most coastal species, as they can simply move higher up on the shore.

Plosone

The clinical implication on patient safety of such errors may not be of great consequence.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We consider that implementation of the specific and sensitive PCR assay, developed in the present study may allow clinical microbiology laboratories in developing countries to detect C. trachomatis rapidly, which would be of great consequences in disease management.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Even if Hiroshima remains preëminent in our historical memory the first nuclear weapon used in anger Nagasaki may be of greater consequence in the long run, something more than the second attack.

The New Yorker

Even if Hiroshima remains preëminent in our historical memory — the first nuclear weapon used in anger — Nagasaki may be of greater consequence in the long run, something more than the second attack.

The New Yorker

Though the USCIS press release about site targeting drew attention for its protectionist language, the memo about what might happen to software workers initially appeared to be of greater consequence.

Vice

Kim hypothesized that a bloodstream infection may be of greater consequence among the less severely ill, while the addition of a bloodstream infection to the number of life-threatening conditions among severely ill patients does not considerably decrease their probability of survival [34].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of great consequence", ensure the context clearly establishes who or what will be affected by the consequence. For example, instead of just saying "The decision will be of great consequence", specify "The decision will be of great consequence to the company's future growth."

Common error

Avoid using "be of great consequence" when the importance is already apparent from the context. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic. Opt for simpler, more direct language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of great consequence" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, emphasizing the significance or importance of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing. Examples show it describing potential outcomes or impacts of decisions or events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of great consequence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize the significance or importance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal writing and is found in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While "be of great consequence" is considered a standard phrase, ensure it's used judiciously to avoid overstating the obvious. To diversify your writing, consider using alternatives like ""have significant impact"" or ""be vitally important"", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be of paramount importance

Emphasizes the supreme or highest level of importance.

be vitally important

Stresses the essential nature of something.

have considerable importance

Focuses on the level of importance rather than the potential outcome or impact.

represent a crucial factor

Emphasizes the decisive role of something.

carry significant weight

Emphasizes the impact or influence that something has.

hold major implications

Highlights the potential future effects of something.

have far-reaching effects

Highlights the broad and extensive impact of something.

prove highly significant

Highlights the demonstrable significance of something.

matter a great deal

A more informal way of expressing that something is very important.

be extremely relevant

Focuses on the pertinence and applicability of something.

FAQs

How can I use "be of great consequence" in a sentence?

Use "be of great consequence" to highlight something is very important and will likely have a noteworthy impact. For example, "The environmental regulations will "be of great consequence" to the local industries".

What are some alternatives to "be of great consequence"?

Alternatives include "have significant impact", "be vitally important", or "carry significant weight". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "be of great consequence" or "be of greater consequence"?

"Be of great consequence" indicates something is very important. "Be of greater consequence" suggests something is more important than something else. The choice depends on whether you are making a comparison.

What is the difference between "be of great consequence" and "have significant implications"?

Both indicate importance, but "be of great consequence" focuses on the result or effect, while "have significant implications" emphasizes the potential future outcomes or ramifications.