be of no consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of no consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is unimportant or insignificant in a given context. Example: "The details of the meeting were of no consequence to the overall outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But the researchers emphasize that the added genes appear to be of no consequence.

The New York Times

But that may be of no consequence to those who store a smaller amount of data.

The New York Times - Tech

One lawyer for the former prisoners, Stephen A. Fennell, said changing conditions in Iraq should be of no consequence.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, Scarborough had concluded that Trump's first State of the Union address would be of no consequence.

The New Yorker

"The hierarchical rank of the perpetrator must be of no consequence in evaluating the facts," she said.

The Guardian

And why do we read about Alexa at play with a friend who proves to be of no consequence?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They are of no consequence.

Independent

The sauce is of no consequence.

The New Yorker

But this was of no consequence.

The New Yorker

Taste was of no consequence.

The New Yorker

"It's of no consequence," he replied.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be of no consequence" to downplay the relevance or impact of a specific factor in a discussion or analysis. It adds a touch of formality.

Common error

While "be of no consequence" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in informal settings. Simpler phrases like "doesn't matter" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of no consequence" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as unimportant or insignificant. As noted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it's used when assessing relevance or impact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of no consequence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something is unimportant or irrelevant. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, consider whether a simpler phrase might be more appropriate for informal settings. Remember that while grammatically correct, overuse in casual conversations could sound unnatural. Alternatives like "not matter" or "be insignificant" can provide similar meaning with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be of no importance

Direct synonym, simply replacing "consequence" with "importance".

be of no significance

Direct synonym, simply replacing "consequence" with "significance".

be immaterial

Focuses on the lack of relevance or importance.

be insignificant

Highlights the smallness or triviality of something.

be inconsequential

Emphasizes the lack of important effects or results.

be irrelevant

Stresses the lack of connection or pertinence.

not matter

A simpler way of saying something is unimportant.

be beside the point

Indicates something is not relevant to the current discussion.

be of little importance

Highlights the low level of importance.

be negligible

Emphasizes that something is so small it can be disregarded.

FAQs

What does "be of no consequence" mean?

The phrase "be of no consequence" means to be unimportant, irrelevant, or without significant effect. It indicates that something does not have a notable impact or importance in a particular situation.

How can I use "be of no consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "be of no consequence" to emphasize that a detail or factor is not important. For example: "The color of the car is "immaterial"; what matters is its reliability".

What are some alternatives to "be of no consequence"?

Some alternatives to "be of no consequence" include "be insignificant", "not matter", "be irrelevant", or "be of little importance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "be of no consequence" or "be of no importance"?

Both "be of no consequence" and "be of no importance" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Be of no consequence" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the lack of impact, while "be of no importance" is more direct and emphasizes the lack of value.