ensued

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ensued' is correct and usable in written English.
'Ensued' is a verb that means to follow or result from an action or event. It is typically used in the past tense. For example: "After the fire alarm went off, a frenzy of activity ensued."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A confrontation ensued.

The New York Times

Early starts and late finishes ensued, as I set about restructuring the company.

The Guardian

The destructive orgy that ensued left at least 91 Jews murdered, 30,000 arrested, and more than 7,000 Jewish businesses destroyed or damaged over the 9 and 10 of November 1938 in co-ordinated attacks against Jews in Germany and Austria.

The Guardian

In the catastrophe that ensued, electricity, water supply, communication networks and public transportation were totally shut down.

The Guardian

A war of words ensued: Greeks protested that the terms of the bailout were too punitive.

The Guardian

Earlwolf set off car alarms and shook portaloos with their bass-heavy, expletive-laden set, and Friday night headliner Skrillex managed to work up a predictable hubbub over at the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage, but nothing prepared Reading goers for the mayhem that ensued at Chase and Status's Saturday night main stage show.

The Guardian - Music

A rightwing political website then hired another man in a chicken costume to chase Ed Miliband, and a series of hellish chicken puns ensued.

The Guardian - Opinion

Conchita coverage hasn't been as bad as I'd feared; certainly better than what ensued when a trans woman nearly died after being attacked by a stag earlier this year.

The Guardian - Opinion

A predictable debate ensued: paternalistic/moralistic comment on one side and, on the other, those who'd have us calm down and just turn it off.

The Guardian - Opinion

Verbals between the pair ensued, at which point Loustau booked Völler, ignoring the German's incredulity and accompanying invitation to examine the gobbet of spittle that had recently been deposited in his hair.

The Guardian - Sport

An intense discussion of art history, contemporary art, LaBeouf's films, fashion and his acting method ensued.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ensued" to clearly indicate that one event directly and logically followed another. It strengthens the cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ensued" when the connection between events is weak or unclear. If the sequence is merely chronological and not directly causal, a simpler word like "followed" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ensued" is as an intransitive verb, indicating that something followed or resulted from a prior action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It often appears to describe consequences or outcomes in narratives and reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ensued" functions as an intransitive verb, indicating that something followed as a consequence of a preceding event. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in writing. The primary usage context is in news and media, where it's used to describe the unfolding of events in a clear, cause-and-effect manner. While alternatives like "followed" and "resulted" exist, "ensued" carries a slightly more formal tone. To use the word effectively, ensure there is a clear logical connection between the events you are describing; otherwise, a simpler term may be more fitting. It is mostly used in formal writing and news contexts. The frequency of "ensued" is very common as shown by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

followed

A direct synonym, indicating a chronological sequence without necessarily implying causation.

resulted

Emphasizes the direct consequence or outcome of a preceding event.

arose

Suggests that something came into being or emerged as a result.

occurred

Implies that an event took place, often without a strong causal link.

transpired

A more formal term indicating that events unfolded or came to pass.

developed

Highlights the gradual progression or evolution of events.

unfolded

Suggests a revealing or gradual unveiling of events.

came about

Indicates how something happened or the circumstances of its occurrence.

sprang up

Implies a sudden or rapid emergence as a consequence.

precipitated

Suggests that something was brought about abruptly or prematurely.

FAQs

How to use "ensued" in a sentence?

Use "ensued" to indicate that something followed directly after a particular action or event. For example, "After the argument, a heated debate "ensued"."

What can I say instead of "ensued"?

You can use alternatives like "followed", "resulted", or "arose" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "ensued" or "followed by"?

"Ensued" implies a direct consequence, whereas "followed by" simply indicates a sequence. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the causal relationship between the events.

What's the difference between "ensued" and "occurred"?

"Occurred" simply means that something took place. "Ensued", on the other hand, means that something happened as a direct result of something else, implying a causal link.