disastrous consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

"disastrous consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to difficult or catastrophic outcomes resulting from a particular action or event. For example: "The careless decision to proceed with the project without proper safety protocols had disastrous consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It brings disastrous consequences".

Independent

Nevertheless, Britain's February intervention had disastrous consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Warning signs were ignored, with disastrous consequences.

The Guardian - Business

This last had immediate and disastrous consequences.

The New York Times - Books

Imprisoning them can have disastrous consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is an injury with disastrous consequences.

The New Yorker

Representative Richard Pombo prophesied "disastrous consequences".

The New Yorker

— it might have disastrous consequences for our brains.

The New York Times

So are knitting needles, with predictable, disastrous consequences.

The New York Times

How could a youthful misstep have had such disastrous consequences?

The New York Times

Principals were warning of disastrous consequences and more dropouts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disastrous consequences," ensure the context clearly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship. Readers should easily understand what actions led to these severe outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "disastrous consequences" for situations that are merely inconvenient or undesirable. This phrase should be reserved for events with truly catastrophic or devastating results to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disastrous consequences" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object or complement of a verb. It describes the severity of outcomes resulting from particular actions or situations, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disastrous consequences" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe severely negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. It is crucial to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong term, avoiding overuse in milder scenarios. Alternative phrases, such as "catastrophic results" or "devastating repercussions", can be considered depending on the desired level of emphasis and formality. Remember that using "disastrous consequences" effectively involves clearly establishing the cause-and-effect relationship for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catastrophic results

Emphasizes the scale and suddenness of the negative outcomes.

calamitous outcomes

Highlights the unfortunate and tragic nature of the results.

devastating repercussions

Stresses the widespread and severe impact of the consequences.

dire ramifications

Focuses on the serious and urgent nature of the implications.

grave effects

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential long-term impact.

severe aftermath

Highlights the period following a negative event and its harsh conditions.

terrible fallout

Focuses on the negative and often unexpected consequences that arise.

tragic outcome

Highlights the sadness and loss associated with the result.

unfortunate results

Downplays the severity slightly, suggesting bad luck or chance.

adverse effects

A more general term indicating negative or harmful impacts.

FAQs

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

You can use "disastrous consequences" to describe the severe negative outcomes of an action or event. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations can have "disastrous consequences" for workers and the environment."

What are some alternatives to "disastrous consequences"?

Alternatives include "catastrophic results", "devastating repercussions", or "dire ramifications", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "disastrous consequences" in formal writing?

Yes, "disastrous consequences" is appropriate for formal writing when describing truly severe negative outcomes. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term and that the writing maintains a professional tone.

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

"Negative consequences" is a broad term for any unfavorable result, while "disastrous consequences" specifically refers to outcomes that are catastrophic, devastating, or extremely harmful. The latter implies a much greater level of severity.