bleak outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

"bleak outcome" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is likely to have a negative or undesirable result. For example, "The election results may have a bleak outcome for the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

For what's essentially a feature-length episode of Bernard's Watch, it's a jarringly bleak outcome.

The Guardian - Film

Not every story of an H.I.V.-infected newborn has a bleak outcome.

The New York Times

It is a bleak outcome, driven by the fact that the developer returned to the council on no fewer than six occasions to renegotiate the deal, which jars with the RIBA judges' own perceptions.

The Guardian - Arts

The one ray of light in an otherwise bleak outcome for the Army private was that he was found not guilty of the single most serious charge against him - that he knowingly "aided the enemy", in practice al-Qaida, by disclosing information to the WikiLeaks website that in turn made it accessible to all users including enemy groups.

The Guardian

Last year, ecologist Roger Bradbury provided a bleak outcome in an opinion piece for the New York Times, saying: "There is no hope of saving the global coral reef ecosystem".

BBC

The bleak outcome: The average salary in Cali is less than $15 a day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Rumsfeldian, unknown-unknowns should worry us because they can affect some bleak outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The latter case threatens to be atypically cheerless, but this is a show that can be trusted not to force bleak outcomes on unwitting viewers, so dog-lovers can assume redemption is at hand.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This story of bohemian living is about more than champagne and cigars; the strong bonds, bleak outcomes and moral struggles of its central female characters give​ The Strays its substance.

The Guardian - Books

Underscoring these bleak outcomes, top policy makers have noted that the "evidence appears to be that [serving in the military] is not an advantage".

Huffington Post

The bleak outcomes of HCC patients even after curative treatment have been, at least partially, attributed to its multicentric origin.

Cancer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bleak outcome", ensure the context clearly establishes the events or decisions leading to the negative result. For example, "Due to the company's financial mismanagement, a bleak outcome for its employees is anticipated."

Common error

Avoid using "bleak outcome" redundantly in situations already understood as negative. Instead of saying "The tragic accident led to a bleak outcome of death", consider just "The tragic accident led to death".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bleak outcome" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "bleak" modifies the noun "outcome". It describes a situation or result that is negative, pessimistic, or undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bleak outcome" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to describe negative or undesirable results. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in news and media, and in scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, consider the context and avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "grim result", "dire consequence", or "unfavorable result" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grim result

Focuses on the negativity of the result, similar to "bleak outcome".

dire consequence

Emphasizes the severity and negativity of the result.

unfavorable result

A more neutral way of describing a negative outcome.

negative consequence

Focuses on the adverse effect of the outcome.

poor prognosis

Specifically used in medical contexts, indicating a negative outlook for recovery.

gloomy prospect

Highlights the pessimistic anticipation of a future outcome.

bad ending

A simpler, more informal way to describe a negative resolution.

unfortunate development

Focuses on the negative unfolding of events leading to the outcome.

adverse effect

Highlights the harmful impact of the outcome.

worst case scenario

Emphasizes the most negative possibility of an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "bleak outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "bleak outcome" to describe a situation with a negative or pessimistic result. For example, "If the company doesn't secure funding, the most likely outcome is bleak".

What are some alternatives to "bleak outcome"?

Alternatives include "grim result", "dire consequence", or "unfavorable result", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bleak outcome" formal or informal?

"Bleak outcome" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans towards neutral formality. More informal options could include "bad ending".

Which is correct, "bleak outcome" or "bleakly outcome"?

"Bleak outcome" is the correct phrasing. "Bleak" is an adjective modifying the noun "outcome". "Bleakly" is an adverb and would not be used to describe a noun.