consequential words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consequential words" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to words that have significant impact or importance in a particular context. Example: "In legal documents, it is crucial to choose your consequential words carefully to avoid misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When consequential words come from far off into a room of you and your colleagues, do you look at the phone, the middle distance, others in the room with you?

The New York Times - Magazine

This has been called "one of the best-known sentences in the English language", containing "the most potent and consequential words in American history".

Wikipedia

A handful of Democratic and Republican senators are considering a rewrite of 60 of the most consequential words to ever pass through Congress.

Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- Three Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices have written some of the most consequential words about reproductive rights since 1973, when Roe v. Wade made abortion a fundamental right.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It hinges on tax code changes — and politically consequential word-parsing over whether additional revenue would come from tax increases or economic growth.

The New York Times

The word consequential has appeared in 145 New York Times articles in the past year, including on June 6 in the article, "Nintendo Is Hit by Hackers, but Breach Is Deemed Minor," by Hiroko Tabuchi: TOKYO — Nintendo, the manufacturer of the Wii and 3DS game systems, said Sunday that it had been the target of a recent hacker attack, the latest in a flurry of intrusions into corporate Web sites.

The New York Times

In his own words: "Most consequential choices involve shades of gray, and some fog is often useful in getting things done".

The New York Times

Whether or not Aaron Swartz suffered because of the manipulation of the public discourse surrounding hacking, his case is a reminder that it is important that we be attuned to attempts to change the meanings of words in consequential ways.

The New York Times

The Rocket comes with a dictionary that omits words like "consequential" and "expiration".

Forbes

The consequential nature of these words is self-evident: the AUMF opened the doors to the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya; attacks on Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Mali; the new drone bases in Niger and Djibouti; and the killing of American citizens, notably Anwar al-Awlaki and his 16-year-old noncombatant son.

Huffington Post

He framed congressional authorization of the war against Isis as a solidarity or symbolic issue – like the US Congress would be showing the American public unity or something – but it's much more consequential than his deceptive wording allows.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consequential words", ensure they are precise and unambiguous to avoid misinterpretations. Clarity is key to conveying the intended impact.

Common error

Avoid using "consequential words" to describe trivial matters. Overusing the phrase can diminish its effect when describing truly significant events or ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consequential words" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "consequential" modifies the noun "words". It highlights words that have significant and lasting effects. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consequential words" refers to language that carries significant weight and lasting impact. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and can be found in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While not frequently used, when employed, it serves to emphasize the importance of specific language choices and their resulting effects. When writing, it is crucial to ensure that "consequential words" are used precisely and appropriately to accurately reflect the magnitude of the subject being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant language

Focuses on the importance and impact of the specific language used.

impactful terms

Highlights the forceful effect of the words.

momentous phrases

Emphasizes the historical importance of the phrases.

critical vocabulary

Stresses the necessity and importance of specific words.

important diction

Focuses on the choice of words and its relevance.

weighty pronouncements

Emphasizes the seriousness and significance of the statements.

pivotal expressions

Highlights the turning point or crucial nature of the expressions.

far-reaching statements

Stresses the broad impact and implications of the statements.

influential rhetoric

Focuses on the persuasive and powerful nature of the words used.

vital terminology

Highlights the essential nature of the terminology in a specific field.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "consequential words" in a sentence?

Use "consequential words" when you want to emphasize the importance or impact of specific words or statements. For example, "The declaration contained some of the most consequential words in American history."

What are some alternatives to "consequential words"?

You can use alternatives like "significant language", "impactful terms", or "important diction" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "consequential words"?

It's appropriate to use "consequential words" in contexts where the impact or importance of specific words needs to be highlighted, such as in legal documents, historical analyses, or critical reviews.

What is the difference between "consequential words" and "important words"?

"Consequential words" emphasizes the impact and the result of certain words, while "important words" simply indicates that the words hold significance. "Consequential words" suggests a deeper, more lasting effect.