has dire consequences for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has dire consequences for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular action or situation will lead to serious negative outcomes for someone or something. Example: "Failing to address climate change has dire consequences for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

This has dire consequences for our collective intellect.

The Guardian - Books

All this naturally has dire consequences for America's Jewish population.

The Guardian - Books

Sex addiction also has dire consequences for society: we're seeing indiscriminate promiscuity; pornography; loss of intimacy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The capital's property boom has dire consequences for the whole of the UK.

The Guardian

Her idiocy has dire consequences for her boyfriend, so that, says Wood, "in many ways she's the bad guy".

The Guardian - Film

A loss has dire consequences for their political longevity and the strength of the party," she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This will have dire consequences for universities.

The Guardian

This unhappiness can have dire consequences for the civilian population.

Independent

Failure, on the other hand, could have dire consequences for the opposition leadership.

The Economist

Again, failure to do so could have dire consequences for the relatives of the deceased.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If the challenges for local newspapers are exacerbated further by local councils, it will have dire consequences for democracy".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has dire consequences for", ensure the severity of the consequences is aligned with the gravity of the situation being described. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact, so reserve it for truly critical situations.

Common error

Avoid using "has dire consequences for" when the situation only involves minor inconveniences or slight negative effects. Overusing this phrase can weaken its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

"Has dire consequences for" functions as a verb phrase expressing causation and impact. Ludwig AI shows it's primarily used to highlight the severely negative outcomes resulting from a particular action or situation, emphasizing the gravity of the potential repercussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has dire consequences for" is a useful phrase for emphasizing the serious and negative outcomes of a situation. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various formal and neutral contexts like News & Media and Science. To maximize effectiveness, use the phrase judiciously for situations truly deserving of such emphasis. While readily understood, consider related phrases to add variety to your writing and tailor it to the precise severity needed. The advice from Ludwig is to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entails serious repercussions for

Replaces "dire consequences" with "serious repercussions", focusing on the severe negative effects that follow an action or event.

results in grave outcomes for

Substitutes "dire consequences" with "grave outcomes", emphasizing the extremely serious and negative nature of the results.

leads to severe ramifications for

Replaces "dire consequences" with "severe ramifications", highlighting the far-reaching and serious effects of a particular action.

is extremely detrimental to

Focuses on the harmful nature of something, indicating that it causes significant damage or harm.

has a devastating impact on

Highlights the overwhelmingly negative and destructive effects of an action or situation.

causes critical harm to

Emphasizes the damaging effects, suggesting that something results in substantial injury or detriment.

poses a significant threat to

Shifts the focus to the potential danger or harm, rather than direct consequences, indicating a substantial risk.

spells disaster for

Suggests that something will lead to complete failure or ruin.

brings about perilous times for

Indicates that something will lead to a period of danger and uncertainty.

creates major problems for

Uses simpler language to express that something will cause significant issues or difficulties for someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "has dire consequences for" in a sentence?

Use "has dire consequences for" to describe situations where actions or events lead to extremely negative and serious outcomes. For example, "Ignoring climate change "has dire consequences for" future generations".

What are some alternatives to "has dire consequences for"?

You can use alternatives like "results in grave outcomes for", "leads to severe ramifications for", or "entails serious repercussions for" to convey a similar meaning with different wording.

Is it appropriate to use "has dire consequences for" in formal writing?

Yes, "has dire consequences for" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and effectively communicates the severity of potential outcomes, making it suitable for reports, essays, and other professional contexts.

What's the difference between "has dire consequences for" and "has negative impacts on"?

"Has negative impacts on" describes general adverse effects, while ""has dire consequences for"" indicates particularly severe and damaging outcomes. The former is less intense and can be used for milder situations.