facing the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing the consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the outcomes or repercussions of one's actions or decisions. Example: "After making that risky investment, he is now facing the consequences of his choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now they are facing the consequences.

The New York Times - Sports

Only now are we facing the consequences".

The New Yorker

Now the region is facing the consequences.

Yale University

And now they are facing the consequences".

The Guardian - Sport

Now, Tsvangirai is facing the consequences.

The Guardian

He's been facing the consequences of that throughout the year.

The Washington Post

The people of Niger are now facing the consequences of the third drought since 2005.

The New York Times

Already, at least 25 million climate refugees and counting are facing the consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

It thereby lost the opportunity to renew itself, and is now facing the consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I refuse to leave my children facing the consequences of our inability to act.

The Guardian

Coaches are facing the consequences: The sailing coach at Stanford was fired.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "facing the consequences", ensure the context clearly indicates what actions led to those consequences. Be specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "facing the consequences" without clearly establishing what actions or decisions led to the repercussions. Ensure the cause-and-effect relationship is evident to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing the consequences" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of experiencing the results of a previous action or decision. It often carries a negative connotation, implying that the consequences are undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing the consequences" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe experiencing the results of one's actions, as Ludwig AI affirms. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While "facing the consequences" is frequently associated with negative outcomes, it serves to highlight accountability. Alternative phrases like "experiencing the repercussions" or "dealing with the aftermath" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. When using "facing the consequences", ensure clarity by specifying the antecedent actions to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing the repercussions

Focuses on the experience of dealing with negative effects.

dealing with the aftermath

Highlights the period following a significant event and its effects.

bearing the brunt

Emphasizes enduring the main force of something unpleasant.

enduring the effects

Highlights the ongoing nature of the impact.

suffering the results

Focuses on the negative outcome of actions or situations.

reaping what you sow

An idiomatic expression about receiving the due reward or punishment for one's actions.

paying the price

Highlights the cost or penalty incurred as a result of actions.

answering for your actions

Focuses on being held accountable.

accepting the outcomes

Emphasizes acknowledgment and acceptance of the results.

living with the fallout

Stresses the long-term impact and challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "facing the consequences" in a sentence?

Use "facing the consequences" to describe situations where someone is experiencing the results of their actions, for example: "After making that risky investment, he is now "facing the consequences" of his choices."

What's a more formal alternative to "facing the consequences"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "experiencing the repercussions" or "bearing the brunt". These alternatives offer a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

What can I say instead of "facing the consequences" to sound less negative?

If you want to express a similar idea without the negative connotation, you might use "accepting the outcomes" or "dealing with the results", depending on the situation.

Is there a difference between "facing the consequences" and "accepting responsibility"?

"Accepting responsibility" implies acknowledging fault or accountability, while "facing the consequences" focuses on experiencing the results of actions, regardless of whether responsibility is acknowledged.