cascade of consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cascade of consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of events or outcomes that occur as a result of a single action or decision. Example: "The new policy led to a cascade of consequences that affected various departments within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The cascade of consequences is formidable.

The Guardian - Books

Minor traffic offences also led to a "cascade" of consequences that led to detention, he said.

The Guardian

Many have already lost their work permits, causing a cascade of consequences.

The New York Times

City principals predicted a cascade of consequences, including declining graduation rates.

The New York Times

Every time they take one decision that's contrary to the way things really happened, there's a cascade of consequences, and in the end, the story becomes complete nonsense.

The New Yorker

She has a habit of throwing the ethical rule book away, and the cascade of consequences is hugely entertaining and often unexpectedly funny — unless, that is, you're the woman-beating thug whose severed ear finds its way into her hands.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

To get reliable results it is crucial to set up correct system boundaries for the investigation, but it is often difficult to understand a complex products system because of the cascade effects of consequences that can be induced even by small changes.

Journal of Cleaner Production

And that can have a whole cascade of emotional consequences as well as the physical consequences, such as skin breakdown, pressure sores, bladder infection, lung infection.

The New York Times

Hayek made the slipperiest of slippery slope arguments: the smallest move toward the expansion of government would lead to a cascade of bad consequences that would result in full-blown authoritarian socialism.

The New York Times - Books

Sacrificing science to a religious ideal of morality was a holy plank of the Bush administration, with the result a cascade of hypocritical consequences and frustration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Secondly, Chapter 11 has its own uncontrollable momentum; anyone who has passed through our justice system should be cautious about its capacity for producing unintended cascades of consequence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cascade of consequences", ensure the connection between the initial action and the resulting events is clear to the reader. This enhances the impact and understanding of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "cascade of consequences" too frequently in your writing. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, consider varying your language with alternatives like "chain reaction" or "domino effect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cascade of consequences" functions as a noun phrase that describes a series of events or results that occur as a direct outcome of a particular action or decision. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to illustrate the far-reaching effects of an initial event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cascade of consequences" is a phrase used to describe a series of events triggered by a single action or decision. It is grammatically correct and versatile for various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. Its function is to highlight the wide-ranging impact of an event, with usages spanning from News & Media to Scientific domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, emphasizing the interconnectedness and scope of resulting events. While effective, overuse should be avoided in favor of alternatives like "chain reaction" or "domino effect". The phrase is useful for underscoring the significance of actions and their downstream effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chain reaction of results

Emphasizes the sequential and interconnected nature of the outcomes, highlighting how one result leads to another.

domino effect of outcomes

Uses the "domino effect" metaphor to illustrate how one event sets off a series of related events.

series of repercussions

Focuses on the negative or unintended effects that follow an initial action.

sequence of events

A more general term indicating a connected series of occurrences.

string of consequences

Highlights the interconnectedness of the consequences, suggesting they are linked together.

ensuing fallout

Focuses on the aftermath and the often negative results that follow an event.

ripple effect of impacts

Emphasizes how an initial action creates ever-widening effects.

train of events

Implies a linear progression of occurrences, one following directly after another.

succession of results

Highlights the sequential nature of the outcomes, suggesting a clear order.

downstream effects

Suggests that the consequences are a result of an earlier cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "cascade of consequences" to describe a series of events that unfold after a single action. For example, "The new policy led to a "cascade of consequences" that affected various departments."

What phrases are similar to "cascade of consequences"?

Alternatives include "chain reaction of results", "domino effect of outcomes", or "series of repercussions", which all describe a chain of events resulting from one action.

Is "cascade of consequences" a formal or informal expression?

"Cascade of consequences" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it's not overly technical, it is descriptive and appropriate for various types of writing.

What's the difference between "cascade of consequences" and "chain of events"?

While both describe a series of occurrences, "cascade of consequences" often implies a more significant or impactful series of events, whereas "chain of events" is a more general term.