fleeting consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting consequence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an outcome or effect that is temporary or short-lived. For example: "The fleeting consequence of his actions soon faded from memory." Alternative expressions include "temporary effect" and "transient result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And because at some point real voters are going to have a say in this presidential selection business, as Mr. Kerry's opponents point out archly, his current status could end up being of fleeting consequence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hannah's struggle to pay the rent, Hannah's attempts at office work, Marnie's near-hookup with Booth Jonathan, Jessa's abortion: these were fleeting, consequence-less narrative developments that were an ends to a means of character development.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Dislodged feather and ray of sunshine mark the fleeting moment.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

How can moment be both "fleeting" and "of consequence"?

The New York Times - Magazine

"As much as I love doing these things, I realize that the audience reaction is very fleeting and the consequences for buying those cheers and gasps could mean long-term effects on my body.

Vice

Perrault's tale ends with a tacked-on moral about the fleeting pleasures and damning consequences of a woman's curiosity, but Ms. Breillat favors a Freudian interpretation: the bloody key as a symbolic nod to the loss of the heroine's virginity.

The New York Times

An editorial in El Pais praises Spain's "exemplary football", and says the success will provide "an indirect relief, though fleeting, from the destructive consequences of the recession and unemployment that Spanish society is suffering".

BBC

Over the years, various investigations into the details of the crash alternately blamed and absolved Hawthorn for what seems now like a fleeting misjudgment that had dreadful consequences.

The Guardian - Sport

A great part of attracted karma bears its consequences with minor fleeting effects, as generally most of our activities are influenced by mild negative emotions.

Wikipedia

The moment is fleeting.

The New York Times

When it is referred to as a specific emotion, embarrassment is described as more fleeting in duration and has less serious consequences [ 25] than shame.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting consequence" when you want to emphasize that a particular result or effect is not only temporary but also lacks significant long-term impact. This phrasing can be useful in political analysis, social commentary, or even personal reflections where actions have limited lasting effects.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting consequence" when the outcome actually has substantial or lasting repercussions. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the effect truly dissipates quickly and leaves little trace. Using it otherwise could diminish the gravity of a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting consequence" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective 'fleeting' modifies the noun 'consequence'. This combination emphasizes that the consequence is temporary or short-lived. Ludwig shows examples of its use in describing events or actions with limited lasting impact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting consequence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an outcome or effect that is temporary and lacks significant long-term impact. Ludwig identifies it as primarily functioning as a noun phrase, with a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, most notably in news and media. Despite its grammatical correctness, its use is relatively rare. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely reflects the limited lasting impact you intend to convey, and be mindful of potential misinterpretations that could diminish the gravity of a situation. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase serves to downplay the importance of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary effect

Focuses on the temporary nature of the effect rather than its importance.

short-lived impact

Emphasizes the brief duration of the impact.

transient result

Highlights the temporary nature of the result.

momentary repercussion

Stresses the brief duration of the repercussion or aftereffect.

passing impact

Indicates that the impact does not last long.

ephemeral outcome

Stresses the short-lived and often intangible nature of the outcome.

insignificant aftermath

Focuses on the unimportance and short duration of the aftermath.

negligible result

Highlights the unimportance or smallness of the result.

minor ramification

Emphasizes the small scale and often temporary nature of the ramification.

brief sequela

Uses a more technical term ('sequela') to indicate a condition resulting from a previous disease or injury, but emphasizes its brevity.

FAQs

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

You can use "fleeting consequence" to describe a result or effect that is temporary and not important. For example: "The politician's scandal had a "fleeting consequence" on his poll numbers."

What are some synonyms for "fleeting consequence"?

Some synonyms for "fleeting consequence" include "temporary effect", "short-lived impact", or "transient result".

Is "fleeting consequence" formal or informal?

"Fleeting consequence" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing. It is most frequently found in "news media" but can also be used in other contexts.

What's the difference between "fleeting consequence" and "lasting consequence"?

"Fleeting consequence" refers to an outcome that is temporary and quickly forgotten, while "lasting consequence" refers to one that has a significant and enduring impact. The former is short-term and unimportant, whereas the latter is long-term and significant.