dire consequences for

USAGE SUMMARY

"dire consequences for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe potential negative outcomes or effects for someone or something. For example, "The government's inaction could have dire consequences for the local economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will have dire consequences for universities.

The Guardian

And losing them could have dire consequences for entire ecosystems.

University of California, Berkeley

This unhappiness can have dire consequences for the civilian population.

Independent

This has had particularly dire consequences for minorities and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

This has dire consequences for our collective intellect.

The Guardian - Books

All this naturally has dire consequences for America's Jewish population.

The Guardian - Books

Slashing of biodiversity can have other dire consequences for humans.

The Washington Post

The result has been a brain drain with dire consequences for the country's future.

University of California, Berkeley

The illegal trade can also have dire consequences for law-abiding fishermen.

Yale University

This lack of access to life-giving food has dire consequences for people.

Cornell University

What's more, we usually won't face any immediate and dire consequences for making a "wrong" choice.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dire consequences for", ensure that the severity of the consequences is justified by the situation you are describing. Avoid using it for minor or trivial issues.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a situation by using "dire consequences for" when the actual effects are only mildly negative. Choose language that accurately reflects the severity of the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dire consequences for" functions as a modifier, specifically describing the severity and nature of the consequences. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dire consequences for" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's used to underscore seriously negative outcomes, primarily in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While effective for conveying gravity, it’s best reserved for situations where the severity is justified, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives like "catastrophic consequences for" or "severe repercussions for" offer nuanced options, ensuring precise communication of impact. The phrase's versatility is highlighted by its presence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catastrophic consequences for

Replaces "dire" with "catastrophic", emphasizing a more devastating outcome.

severe repercussions for

Substitutes "consequences" with "repercussions" and "dire" with "severe", indicating serious negative effects.

serious ramifications for

Uses "ramifications" instead of "consequences" and "serious" instead of "dire", suggesting significant and complex negative outcomes.

grave implications for

Replaces "consequences" with "implications" and "dire" with "grave", indicating profound and worrying outcomes.

major negative impact on

Rephrases to focus on the "impact" rather than "consequences", using "negative" and "major" to convey the severity.

profound adverse effects on

Replaces "consequences" with "effects", using "profound" and "adverse" to highlight the significant negative impact.

significant detrimental effects on

Similar to the previous, but uses "detrimental" instead of "adverse" to describe the harm caused.

substantial adverse impact on

Emphasizes the substantial and negative impact, using 'adverse' to convey negativity.

major setbacks for

Focuses on "setbacks" as the consequence, implying significant delays or failures.

potentially damaging outcomes for

Highlights the potential for damage as the consequence, using "potentially damaging" to indicate the severity.

FAQs

How can I use "dire consequences for" in a sentence?

You can use "dire consequences for" to describe serious negative outcomes resulting from a particular action or situation. For example, "Failing to address climate change will have "dire consequences for" future generations".

What are some alternatives to "dire consequences for"?

Alternatives include "catastrophic consequences for", "severe repercussions for", or "serious ramifications for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "dire consequences for"?

Use "dire consequences for" when the potential outcomes are extremely negative, serious, and far-reaching. It's suitable for situations involving significant harm or irreversible damage.

Is "dire consequences for" too dramatic for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "dire consequences for" may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using less formal alternatives like "major problems for" or "serious issues for" in everyday contexts.