certain consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific outcome or result that is expected or implied in a given situation. Example: "If you continue to ignore the warnings, there will be a certain consequence that you will have to face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Sea-level rise is a certain consequence of global warming.

Nature

The ducking of a decision on the M25 expansion, for instance, will have one certain consequence.

The Economist

But they said a reconsideration of some bygone building practices would be an almost certain consequence of the new information.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Owens, now a tax lawyer in Washington, said the I.R.S. proposal would have one certain consequence: more business.

The New York Times

The one certain consequence is that these philanthrocapitalists will become increasingly controversial — on specific issues and also in a broader sense by unleashing deep-rooted concerns among the public about plutocracy.

The New York Times

Those who seek to release the plant pathogenic fungus fusarium to eradicate coca in Colombia should expect as an almost certain consequence that the coca producers would resort to application of soil fumigants and fungicides to save their profitable crops.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Certain consequences, however, are clear.

The New Yorker

But it had certain consequences that retailers prefer not to mention.

The New Yorker

The Swiss have taken a decision and it has certain consequences.

The Guardian

My role is showing why we do certain things and what may be certain consequences.

The New York Times - Tech

Turning a complex political dispute into a scientific one had certain consequences.

The Extractive Industries and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain consequence" when you want to emphasize the inevitability and predictability of an outcome, leaving little to no room for doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "certain consequence" when the outcome is only highly probable but not absolutely guaranteed. Using weaker terms like "likely result" or "probable outcome" may be more appropriate if there is any degree of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain consequence" functions as a noun phrase, where "certain" modifies the noun "consequence". According to Ludwig AI, this construction denotes an outcome that is assured or inevitable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain consequence" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a high degree of certainty about an outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is most frequent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While not as common as some synonyms, it effectively communicates the inevitability of a result. When writing, remember to use "certain consequence" only when the outcome is truly guaranteed, and consider alternatives like "inevitable outcome" or "predictable result" if there is any room for doubt. Be mindful of overstating certainty to maintain accuracy and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inevitable outcome

Replaces "certain" with "inevitable", emphasizing the unavoidability of the result.

predictable result

Substitutes "consequence" with "result", highlighting the predictability of the outcome.

assured effect

Uses "assured" instead of "certain" and "effect" instead of "consequence", focusing on the guaranteed impact.

definite aftermath

Replaces "certain" with "definite" and "consequence" with "aftermath", stressing the clear and distinct result.

unavoidable repercussion

Emphasizes the inability to escape the outcome by using "unavoidable" and "repercussion".

foreseeable conclusion

Focuses on the ability to anticipate the result by using "foreseeable" and "conclusion".

guaranteed development

Highlights the assurance of the outcome by using "guaranteed" and "development".

predetermined event

Stresses the pre-planned nature of the outcome using "predetermined" and "event".

inexorable consequence

Emphasizes the unstoppable nature of the consequence, implying a force beyond control.

inescapable result

Highlights the lack of options to avoid the result, emphasizing the inevitable.

FAQs

How can I use "certain consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "certain consequence" to describe an outcome that is guaranteed to happen as a result of a specific action or situation. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations is a certain consequence of increased accidents".

What phrases are similar to "certain consequence"?

Alternatives to "certain consequence" include "inevitable outcome", "predictable result", or "assured effect". These phrases also convey a sense of inevitability or high probability.

Is it better to say "certain consequence" or "certain consequences"?

The choice between "certain consequence" and "certain consequences" depends on whether you are referring to a single outcome or multiple outcomes. Use "certain consequence" for a singular, definite result and "certain consequences" for multiple results.

What is the difference between "likely consequence" and "certain consequence"?

"Likely consequence" suggests a high probability but not a guarantee, whereas "certain consequence" implies an outcome that is virtually unavoidable. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey.