face consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

"face consequences" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate that someone will have to deal with the results or effects of their actions or decisions. For example, "If you don't finish your homework, you will have to face the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I know with this I face consequences.

The Guardian - Sport

That has led companies to introduce their products first and face consequences later.

The New York Times

American citizens detained abroad might also face consequences as a result, the government warned.

The New York Times

It's harder to throw a tantrum at work and not face consequences.

The New Yorker

Countries or individuals that engage in cyber-attacks should face consequences and international condemnation".

The New York Times

This binding resolution will ensure that the Assad regime must keep its commitments or face consequences.

The New York Times

Those who do should face consequences from national police and international sanctions regimes.

The New York Times

"And it's not just kids who face consequences," the narrator says over foreboding music.

The New York Times

Those nations that refuse to live up to their obligations must face consequences.

The Guardian

Those who break the law must face consequences for their actions.

The Guardian

They threaten that if I don't bring her to the phone, I'll face "consequences".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face consequences" when you want to emphasize that someone must accept and deal with the results of their actions, regardless of whether those results are positive or negative. It is often used in contexts where accountability is important.

Common error

Avoid using "face consequences" when you mean to convey that someone is trying to escape the results of their actions. "Face consequences" implies acceptance, whereas seeking to "avoid consequences" suggests evasion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face consequences" functions as a verb phrase, where "face" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("consequences"). According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face consequences" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone must deal with the results of their actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various reliable sources, primarily in News & Media. While alternatives like "bear the consequences" or "suffer the consequences" exist, "face consequences" provides a balanced and widely understood way to convey accountability. When writing, remember that "face consequences" implies acceptance, not evasion, of the results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the consequences

Replaces "face" with "bear", emphasizing the act of enduring the results.

suffer the consequences

Emphasizes the negative aspect of experiencing the results.

endure the repercussions

Uses a more formal term, "repercussions", to suggest a wider range of impacts.

pay the price

An idiomatic expression indicating a cost or penalty for actions.

accept responsibility

Focuses on taking ownership of the actions leading to the consequences.

be held accountable

Highlights the aspect of being responsible for one's actions.

take the heat

An informal idiom emphasizing dealing with criticism or negative attention.

answer for one's actions

Emphasizes the need to justify or explain one's behavior.

be penalized

Highlights the imposition of a penalty for an action or inaction.

reap what you sow

An idiomatic expression where one's actions determine the resulting consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "face consequences" to describe situations where someone must deal with the outcomes of their actions. For instance, "If you break the law, you must "face consequences"."

What's a good alternative to "face consequences"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "face consequences" include "bear the consequences", "suffer the consequences", or "accept responsibility".

Is it correct to say "faced consequences"?

Yes, "faced consequences" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "She "faced consequences" for her decisions."

What is the difference between "face consequences" and "avoid consequences"?

"Face consequences" implies accepting and dealing with the results of an action, whereas "avoid consequences" means trying to escape or prevent those results from happening.