consequential

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'consequential' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means having great and often unforeseen importance or results. An example sentence is: "The consequential decisions made in the boardroom affected the entire company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You may well laugh at my childish excitement about this small insight, given it's complete lack of any consequential meaning – who cares what the man wears or how he sequences his wardrobe – but I liked it, because it rang true.

The Guardian

Bachmann got off to a good start, declaring that even if the supreme court upholds the law, in what she called "one of the most important consequential decisions it will ever make," the battle is not over.

The Guardian

At the level of framing a very important and consequential debate in national affairs, the government was in deliberate dot drawing mode this week.

The Guardian

At a press conference outside the court, Bachmann got off to a good start, declaring that even if the justices uphold the Affordable Care Act, in what she called "one of the most important consequential decisions it will ever make," the battle is not over.

The Guardian

With a new introduction by the author, David Quammen's hair-raising report tracks the virus from chimp populations in the jungles of southeastern Cameroon to laboratories across the globe, as he unravels the mysteries of when, where, and under what circumstances such a consequential spillover can happen.

The Guardian

One of the Tea Party leaders in Congress, Michele Bachmann, was drowned out by supporters of what opponents deride as "Obamacare" as she stood in front of the court to declare that the battle is still on over what she called "one of the most important consequential decisions it will ever make".

The Guardian

She has no big vision, no consequential future-oriented direction.

The Guardian

The cost, to the sufferers alone, is between $1.4 billion and $4 billion a year and that does not take account of consequential damage to the economies of the countries they live in.

The Economist

The most familiar and consequential example is the widespread conservative disbelief that the world is getting hotter, the sea level is rising, and it's happening because humans burn fossil fuels.

The Economist

She is the natural candidate to oversee the most obvious and consequential step Mr Obama could take to stem global warming: a regulation curbing emissions from existing power plants.Republicans do not like that idea at all, and have introduced bills in Congress to strip the EPA of its regulatory authority over greenhouse gases.

The Economist

But these swings, however large and consequential, are arguably only symptoms.If people feel as if the country is changing quickly, that's because it is.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consequential" to emphasize the significant and often long-term impact of a decision, event, or action. It's stronger than "important" and implies broader ramifications.

Common error

Avoid using "consequential" for trivial matters. Reserve it for situations where the impact is genuinely significant; otherwise, opt for a more appropriate adjective like "relevant" or "noticeable".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "consequential" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to denote a significant or important outcome or effect. According to Ludwig AI, this word is appropriate and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in describing decisions, events, and debates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "consequential" is a versatile word used to describe something with significant and far-reaching effects. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread. It appears most frequently in news and business contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussing important events and decisions. When using "consequential", ensure it fits the magnitude of the situation, opting for alternatives like "significant" or "important" when a less impactful term is more appropriate. Mastering its usage enhances precision in writing and underscores the true impact of the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant

Focuses on the degree of importance or effect.

important

Highlights the relevance and value of something.

momentous

Emphasizes the historical or long-lasting impact.

far-reaching

Indicates widespread effects or influence.

substantial

Refers to a considerable amount or degree of impact.

noteworthy

Highlights something deserving attention or recognition.

impactful

Focuses on the power to create change or have an effect.

critical

Indicates something essential or decisive.

pivotal

Highlights the turning point or decisive nature.

weighty

Emphasizes the seriousness or importance of a matter.

FAQs

How to use "consequential" in a sentence?

Use "consequential" to describe something that has significant and lasting effects. For example, "The judge's ruling had "consequential" implications for future cases".

What can I say instead of "consequential"?

You can use alternatives like "significant", "important", or "momentous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "consequential" or "consequence"?

"Consequential" is an adjective describing something having important consequences. "Consequence" is a noun referring to a result or effect of an action or condition.

What's the difference between "consequential" and "important"?

"Important" denotes something of value or relevance, while "consequential" implies that something not only matters but also has far-reaching effects. "Consequential" suggests a greater impact.