costly consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"costly consequence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the negative outcomes of a decision or action that involve significant expense or loss. For example: "The company's failure to comply with regulations led to a costly consequence in the form of hefty fines." Alternative expressions include "expensive outcome" and "pricey result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Hollywood has tried to make the same movie over and over and ram it past audiences, to costly consequence.

The New York Times

Although war is the most spectacularly costly consequence of fudged presidential transitions in Africa, it is far from alone in stunting the continent's development.

The New York Times

Bleeding episodes can be a serious and costly consequence associated with warfarin therapy.

Drugs

Our report both underlines the burdensome and costly consequence of the non-compliance with active surveillance programs and the benefice of this program as the outbreak had been halted owing to the implementation of the VRE screening.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Still, those few could face costly consequences.

The New York Times

Even deposit protection, he argues, has costly consequences.

The Guardian - Books

He was less convincing in addressing the potentially costly consequences of a war against that country.

The New York Times

AMERICA'S distorted views can have costly consequences, especially for us in Latin America.

The New York Times

-- but one that could have profound and costly consequences, even though the law carries no penalties.

The New York Times

Easy-sounding fixes like more disclosure can sometimes have unintended and costly consequences.

The New York Times

How is it possible that every time doctors perform sex-selective abortions they don't realise the immeasurably costly consequences – both emotional as well as social?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "costly consequence", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the consequence expensive, whether it's financial cost, loss of resources, or detrimental impact on well-being.

Common error

While "costly consequence" is generally correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "negative result" or "bad outcome" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly consequence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "costly" modifies the noun "consequence". It serves to describe a result or outcome that carries a significant negative cost or penalty. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting negative repercussions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costly consequence" is a phrase used to describe a result or outcome that carries a significant negative cost, be it financial, resource-related, or otherwise. Although grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig AI indicates it is relatively rare. It appears in both News & Media and Scientific contexts, and its meaning aligns with alternatives like "expensive outcome" or "detrimental result". To use this effectively, ensure your context clearly shows the nature of the cost. Overusing in informal settings should be avoided. Considering Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is best suited for situations requiring a degree of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive outcome

Replaces "costly" with "expensive", focusing solely on the financial aspect.

detrimental result

Substitutes "costly" with "detrimental", highlighting the harmful nature of the outcome rather than its financial cost.

pricey result

Uses "pricey" instead of "costly", emphasizing the high price or value associated with the outcome.

damaging effect

Focuses on the damaging aspect, broadening the scope beyond just monetary costs.

negative repercussion

Emphasizes the indirect or far-reaching effects of the consequence.

adverse ramification

A more formal alternative, stressing the serious and complex nature of the consequence.

unfavorable development

Downplays the severity, framing it as an undesirable turn of events.

ill effect

A simple and direct alternative, highlighting the negative impact.

undesirable aftermath

Focuses on the period following the initial action and its unpleasant effects.

serious fallout

Highlights the widespread and significant negative effects following an event.

FAQs

How to use "costly consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "costly consequence" to describe a situation where an action or decision leads to significant negative repercussions. For example, "The company's negligence had a "costly consequence", resulting in hefty fines and reputational damage."

What can I say instead of "costly consequence"?

Alternatives include "expensive outcome", "detrimental result", or "pricey result", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "costly consequence" or "expensive consequence"?

Both "costly consequence" and "expensive consequence" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context, although "costly" can sometimes imply a broader range of costs beyond just monetary value.

What's the difference between "costly consequence" and "serious consequence"?

"Costly consequence" emphasizes the financial or resource-related burden of the outcome, while "serious consequence" highlights the severity and potential impact, which may not necessarily be financial.