greatest consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most significant or important outcome of a situation or action. Example: "The decision to cut funding had the greatest consequence on the community's access to essential services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

His committee is very powerful and its investigations have the potential to be the greatest consequence of the election results in November.

The New Yorker

"These are people who are in the business of assessing risk, because that's what trading is, and they were thinking, The greatest consequence I will face is paying some fines," Bharara said.

The New Yorker

When we had what was certainly our disagreement of greatest consequence — over the Times article suggesting that John McCain had had an extramarital affair with a young female lobbyist — Keller showed great equanimity.

The New York Times

Among the issues noted here, that of the greatest consequence is the question of what counts among architectural objects.

SEP

But he never once mentioned the single greatest consequence of America's reliance on oil and gas: global warming.

Huffington Post

If the compelling evidence is accurate, and North Korea is responsible, the implications for international politics are of the greatest consequence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The greatest consequences of those changes are yet to come.

The New York Times

Teenagers, who typically have to get to school earlier than younger children, may suffer the greatest consequences.

The New York Times - Health

After occasional glimmers of hope in the form of two brief stays in the Bundesliga, it was the numbers off the pitch that carried the greatest consequences.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the greatest consequences of the War on Drugs has been mass incarceration.

Huffington Post

The greatest consequences, however, resulted from the division of the de Clare estates.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing decisions or actions, clearly identify what specific factors make the "greatest consequence" particularly significant to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "greatest consequence" for minor or trivial outcomes. Reserve it for situations where the results are genuinely significant and far-reaching to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest consequence" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI, based on the provided examples, indicates that it serves to identify and emphasize the most significant result or impact of a particular situation, action, or decision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatest consequence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that emphasizes the most significant outcome of a situation. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples from varied sources like news, science, and encyclopedias, confirms its validity and versatility. While alternatives such as "most significant impact" or "primary effect" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. To ensure clarity, specify the factors that contribute to the "greatest consequence". Avoid using it for minor outcomes to maintain credibility. Overall, understanding the nuances of "greatest consequence" is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most significant impact

Focuses on the degree of influence or effect, rather than the resulting situation.

biggest ramification

Emphasizes the far-reaching and often negative effects.

major repercussion

Implies a negative and often unintended result.

primary effect

Highlights the main result, without necessarily implying severity or importance.

ultimate outcome

Stresses the final result or conclusion of a process or event.

principal result

Focuses on the main outcome, often in a more neutral or factual way.

most important effect

Emphasizes the significance of the effect.

chief consequence

Uses "chief" to indicate the leading or primary nature of the consequence.

dominant result

Suggests the most powerful or prevalent outcome.

key aftermath

Highlights the crucial events following a particular event.

FAQs

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

Use "greatest consequence" to emphasize the most significant outcome of an action or event. For example, "The "greatest consequence" of the policy change was increased public dissatisfaction".

What are some alternatives to "greatest consequence"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "most significant impact", "biggest ramification", or "primary effect" as alternatives to "greatest consequence".

Is it appropriate to use "greatest consequence" in formal writing?

Yes, "greatest consequence" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly and powerfully conveys the magnitude of an outcome. Consider the impact you wish to convey and if alternatives such as "most significant impact" or "principal result" may be more fitting.

What is the difference between "greatest consequence" and "major consequence"?

"Greatest consequence" implies the single most significant outcome, while "major consequence" suggests a highly significant outcome, but not necessarily the most significant one. The former is superlative, the latter is simply emphatic.