ensues

USAGE SUMMARY

"ensue" is a correct and usable word in written English.
Generally, you can use "ensue" to mean "to happen or occur subsequently" or "to follow as a result." For example, "Following the announcement, an uproar of dissent ensued."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

True love ensues, with the subtlety of a cage fight.

The Guardian - Film

What appears to be a twerking competition then ensues.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then a cabin-wide hunt for the above-mentioned shades ensues and we're all invited to step through the curtain into first class to deliver them back to their celebrity owner.

The Guardian - Music

For those who get to this stage, a long waiting game ensues for the asylum approval that would theoretically enable them to look for work on a continent where jobs are not exactly abundant.

The Guardian

RL Mathewson's romance novel Playing for Keeps ("When a woman stands up to her aggravating neighbour, romance ensues") is in 16th place, Lyla Sinclair's slice of erotica Training Tessa in 17th, and Bella Andre has three self-published romance novels in the chart: If You Were Mine in 22nd place, Can't Help Falling in Love in 23rd, and I Only Have Eyes for you in 24th.

The Guardian - Books

Thus a form of social engineering ensues.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the suspense he creates in an otherwise clever entwinement of hunter-becomes-hunted storylines is maintained only if you can accept that well-equipped investigators need so many corpses before enlightenment dawns and entrapment ensues.

The Economist

Its temperature is so low that it will remain in cold storage for many thousands of years to come, no matter how much global warming ensues.

The Economist

Their success attracts more settlers, and an unruly bonanza ensues; finally the policemen, lawyers and tax collectors show up.

The Economist

The best possible fortress is not to be hated by the people.Moreover, if you fail to win a majority and another hung parliament ensues, you will need to be able to negotiate another coalition with the Lib Dems.

The Economist

A media brouhaha ensues, and Mr Wilders distances himself from the extreme-right groups.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ensues" when you want to emphasize that one event directly leads to another, particularly in formal or narrative contexts. This adds a sense of consequence and flow to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ensues" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "happens" or "follows" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ensues" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of "ensue." It indicates an action or event that follows as a consequence or result. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ensues" functions as the third-person singular present tense of the verb "ensue", indicating that something follows or results from a preceding event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and widely used term, particularly in formal and narrative contexts. It's frequently found in authoritative sources such as "The Economist", "The Guardian", and encyclopedias, highlighting its prevalence in news, academic writing, and reference materials. While versatile, avoiding overuse in informal settings can help maintain a natural and appropriate tone. Related alternatives include "follows", "results", and "occurs", which offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follows

This is a direct synonym, implying a sequential occurrence.

results

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a previous action.

occurs

Indicates that something happens or takes place, often without a direct causal link.

arises

Suggests that something emerges or comes into being, often unexpectedly.

develops

Implies a gradual unfolding or evolution of events.

unfolds

Similar to 'develops' but with a stronger sense of revelation or discovery.

transpires

A more formal term for something happening, often with a sense of becoming known.

supervenes

Suggests that something happens as a consequence of something else at a lower level.

eventuates

A somewhat archaic term for resulting or coming about.

comes to pass

An idiomatic expression for something happening or becoming a reality.

FAQs

How to use "ensues" in a sentence?

Use "ensues" to indicate that something happens or follows as a direct result of a preceding event. For example, "After the argument, a period of silence "ensues"."

What can I say instead of "ensues"?

You can use alternatives like "follows", "results", or "occurs" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "ensues" or "ensue"?

"Ensues" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "ensue", used when the subject is singular. "Ensue" is used for plural subjects or in other tenses. For example, "Chaos ensues" (singular) versus "If problems ensue..." (plural/subjunctive).

What's the difference between "ensues" and "occurs"?

"Ensues" implies a direct causal relationship or sequence, whereas "occurs" simply means something happens without necessarily being a direct consequence of something else. "The meeting ended, and a discussion ensued" (direct result) versus "The meeting occurs every week" (simply happens).