could be of consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be of consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential importance or impact of a situation or decision. Example: "The findings of this study could be of consequence for future research in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They are in a zone where the spillover could be of consequence".

The New York Times

Ocean acidification appears to impact energy resource demands in the oyster, which could be of consequence during periods of immune stress or reproduction, which also require many energetic resources.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although the seized valuables are supposed to pay for refugee-related expenditures, the financial impact could be of less consequence.

The Washington Post

Although the seized valuables are supposed to pay for refugee-related expenditures, the financial impact could be of less consequence.

Independent

nytimes.com/cityroom SPECIAL HOUSE ELECTIONS COULD REFLECT ON OBAMA The electoral fate of two Southern politicians could be of some consequence in Barack Obama's campaign.

The New York Times

And they are not the only ones who think these transcripts could be of serious consequence.

Vice

If the interacting partners are fully conserved, any divergence of the transgene could be of little consequence.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

This could be of considerable consequence since it is much more difficult to ablate synovitis at this latter location.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

This loss of SWS1 could be a consequence of increased exposure of mudskippers to ultraviolet light during their forays out of water.

Nature

Moreover, uncooperativeness of DLB subjects could be a consequence of fluctuations of cognition.

BioMed Research International

This lack of correlation could be consequence of gene functional redundancy and/or to further levels of post-translational control.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be of consequence" when you want to suggest that something may have a notable effect or importance, but without stating it as a certainty. It's useful for discussing potential outcomes or impacts.

Common error

Avoid using "could be of consequence" when you are certain about the impact. In cases where the effect is definite, a more direct statement like "is of consequence" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be of consequence" functions as a qualifier, suggesting a potential impact or significance. It indicates that something has the possibility of being important or having notable effects. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be of consequence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the potential significance or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While not extremely common, it appears in contexts ranging from news to scientific discussions. The phrase conveys a degree of uncertainty, suggesting a possible but not definite outcome. Alternatives such as "could be significant" or "could be important" offer more direct ways to express importance. When writing, ensure the level of certainty matches the context; avoid using it when the impact is already known. It maintains a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be of relevance

Similar in structure but uses "relevance" instead of "consequence".

could be of importance

Similar in structure but uses "importance" instead of "consequence".

could be significant

This alternative uses a more direct adjective to express importance.

could be important

Replaces "consequence" with a simpler term for importance.

might have implications

Focuses on the potential results or effects.

could have an impact

Emphasizes the potential effect on something.

could prove substantial

Highlights the potential for something to be considerable.

could turn out to be crucial

Emphasizes the potential critical importance.

could matter significantly

Focuses on the degree to which something could be important.

might bear weight

Indicates that something could be influential or important.

FAQs

How can I use "could be of consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "could be of consequence" to express that something might have a significant effect or impact. For example, "The decision "could be of consequence" for the company's future."

What's a more direct way to say "could be of consequence"?

If you want to sound more assertive, you can use alternatives like "could be significant" or "could be important".

Is "could be of consequence" formal or informal?

"Could be of consequence" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "could be of consequence" and "might be of consequence"?

The difference is minimal. Both "could" and "might" indicate a possibility, but "could" sometimes suggests a slightly higher likelihood than "might". In most cases, they are interchangeable.