disproportionate consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disproportionate consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that is not proportional to the action or event that caused it, often implying that the result is excessive or unfair. Example: "The new policy led to a disproportionate consequence for small businesses, which struggled to comply with the stringent regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Though many Australians, and not just of the left, found it hard to decide whether it was the warmonger or the tyrant whose presence they found more objectionable, the visits proved one point: Australia has become a country of disproportionate consequence in world affairs.

The Economist

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a painful disorder that usually develops as a disproportionate consequence of trauma.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The British publishers cannily compare the novel to The Slap, in which a casual act also has massively disproportionate consequences (another alternative title for this book might have been The Click).

The Guardian - Books

Association of Teachers and Lecturers general secretary Dr Mary Bousted warned spoilt children had "disproportionate" consequences for behaviour in schools.

BBC

As far as the scope of this article is concerned, this collapse serves as a great example of the disproportionate consequences a lack of structural robustness can have.

Hormigón y Acero

The theory of structural vulnerability developed at the University of Bristol is a theory of form that seeks to identify failure scenarios where small damage can lead to disproportionate consequences.

Structural Safety

There's a sense that even those of us who disapprove of their behavior should, and often do, feel uncomfortable with the disproportionate consequences.

Huffington Post

At this point only a few transcript copies are available per a locus and the disproportionate consequences of random fluctuations may define systemic expression profile [5].

Plosone

Compared with men, harmful alcohol consumption among women has a disproportionate effect on their lives and health, including undesired consequences regarding reproductive function and pregnancy as well as the faster development of physical, cognitive, social, and psychiatric problems [ 3, 8, 9].

BMC Women's Health

A consequence of the small sample of facilities was the disproportionate effect of large changes in numbers of visits and workload in one Lusaka facility, which experienced a 50% fall in OPD visits and workload across the three years.

BMC Health Services Research

The observations of Ginther et al. (2) suggest the presence of an "inverse Matthew effect," that is, residual cultural biases may have disproportionate adverse consequences on minority subgroups of our scientific community.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disproportionate consequence" when you want to emphasize the imbalance between an action and its result, highlighting that the outcome is significantly greater or more severe than what is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionate consequence" when the outcome is simply negative but aligns with the initial action's magnitude. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact, so reserve it for situations where the consequence truly outweighs the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disproportionate consequence" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a result or outcome that is not proportional to the initial action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disproportionate consequence" is a phrase used to describe an outcome that is not proportional to the action or event that caused it, often implying that the result is excessive or unfair. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With a relatively low frequency, it appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the initial event and why the resulting consequence is considered excessive or unfair. Alternatives like "unequal outcome" and "excessive result" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Remember, reserve this phrase for situations where the consequence truly outweighs the cause to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unequal outcome

Focuses on the lack of equality in the result, rather than the size of the consequence.

excessive result

Highlights that the result is beyond what is considered normal or acceptable.

unbalanced effect

Indicates a lack of balance or symmetry in the impact.

inordinate repercussion

Uses a more formal tone to suggest the consequence is beyond reasonable limits.

undue aftermath

Emphasizes that the aftermath is unwarranted or unjustified.

unmerited consequence

Highlights that the consequence is not deserved or justified.

disproportionate fallout

Similar to consequence, fallout suggests unintended results.

overblown ramification

Suggests the ramification has been exaggerated or given too much importance.

immoderate outcome

Emphasizes that the outcome is not kept within reasonable limits.

unjustified result

Highlights the unfairness or lack of justification for the result.

FAQs

How can I use "disproportionate consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "disproportionate consequence" to describe situations where the outcome is excessively severe compared to the initial action. For example, "The minor infraction resulted in a "disproportionate consequence" for the student."

What are some alternatives to "disproportionate consequence"?

Alternatives include "unequal outcome", "excessive result", or "unbalanced effect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "disproportionate consequence" mean?

It refers to a result or outcome that is significantly larger or more severe than what is reasonably expected or deserved, given the initial action or event.

Is "disproportionate consequence" a formal or informal phrase?

"Disproportionate consequence" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its impact is strongest when used to highlight a clear imbalance or injustice in the outcome.