destructive consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

"destructive consequences" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to negative or harmful outcomes or results. It is typically used in a sentence to describe the impact of a certain action or event. Example: The decision to cut down all the trees in the forest had destructive consequences on the ecosystem, leading to the extinction of several species and disrupting the natural balance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And we will thwart its destructive consequences.

The Guardian

destructive consequences of the power of money.

University of California, Berkeley

"This suspicion towards children can have destructive consequences," said Fontaine.

The Guardian

A lack of managerial control surely precipitated destructive consequences.

The Guardian - Sport

Need it bring about destructive consequences to count as one?

The Guardian - Opinion

Racism and its destructive consequences were all around us.

University of California, Berkeley

His psychiatrist tries to harness these dreams to "make things better" with fascinating and destructive consequences.

The Guardian - Books

Increasingly, we have concrete proof of the heartless, destructive consequences of the corporate approach to education.

The New York Times

Time is running out and destructive consequences of global warming are increasingly out of control.

University of California, Berkeley

In Humanity's End, Nicholas Agar argues against radical enhancement, describing its destructive consequences.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The destructive consequences of selenium pollution are well documented in North America.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term impacts, use "destructive consequences" to underscore the severity and lasting nature of the negative outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of considering all potential ramifications.

Common error

Avoid using "destructive consequences" when the negative outcomes are minor or easily reversible. Opt for milder terms like "unfavorable results" or "negative effects" to maintain appropriate tone and emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "destructive consequences" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the negative results stemming from a particular action or situation. Ludwig AI examples highlight the phrase's use in various contexts to emphasize serious negative impacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "destructive consequences" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe significant negative outcomes. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific writing. While alternatives such as "adverse effects" or "negative impacts" exist, "destructive consequences" emphasizes a greater degree of harm and lasting damage. Therefore, writers should reserve its use for situations where the impacts are indeed severe, while also avoiding overuse in situations with minor or easily reversible effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

damaging consequences

Employs "damaging" instead of "destructive", indicating harm that may not be as severe but still significant.

adverse consequences

Employs "adverse" instead of "destructive", indicating generally unfavorable or negative outcomes.

pernicious consequences

Replaces "destructive" with "pernicious", implying a more subtle or gradual harmful effect.

deleterious consequences

Substitutes "destructive" with "deleterious", suggesting harm that is often subtle or unexpected.

ruinous consequences

Uses "ruinous" instead of "destructive", highlighting the potential for complete devastation or collapse.

disastrous consequences

Uses "disastrous" instead of "destructive", highlighting the calamitous nature of the consequences.

destructive ramifications

Replaces "consequences" with "ramifications", suggesting far-reaching and complex negative effects.

destructive implications

Substitutes "consequences" with "implications", focusing on the indirect or suggested negative outcomes.

lethal consequences

Replaces "destructive" with "lethal", emphasizing the potential for death or severe harm.

deadly consequences

Replaces "destructive" with "deadly", emphasizing the potential for loss of life or serious harm.

FAQs

How can I use "destructive consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "destructive consequences" to describe the negative outcomes of an action or event. For example, "The war had "destructive consequences" for the country's economy".

What are some alternatives to "destructive consequences"?

Some alternatives include "adverse effects", "negative impacts", or "harmful outcomes depending on the specific context".

Is "destructive consequences" a formal or informal phrase?

"Destructive consequences" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as evidenced by its usage in news articles, academic papers, and other professional documents. The degree of formality will depend on overall context of your sentence.

What is the difference between "destructive consequences" and "negative consequences"?

"Destructive consequences" implies a greater degree of harm and long-lasting damage than "negative consequences", which can refer to milder or more easily reversible effects. Think about the degree of harm the action or event is causing, and choose what best depicts it.