has serious consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has serious consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential negative outcomes or effects of an action or decision. Example: "Failing to follow safety protocols has serious consequences for both employees and the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It has serious consequences".

The Guardian

But this situation has serious consequences.

The New York Times

This growing discontent has serious consequences.

The New York Times - Health

Prohibition has serious consequences for these farmers.

The Guardian

"That has serious consequences for us," he said.

Independent

This is a tragedy and has serious consequences for ending extreme poverty.

The Guardian

And that is where failing to honor a pledge has serious consequences.

The New York Times

Overwork and failure to manage it has serious consequences for individuals and organisations.

The Guardian

Agreeing to postpone a hearing, though, has serious consequences, lawyers, judges and court administrators concede.

The New York Times

The individualist anti-regulation stance of free-market advocates also has serious consequences for healthcare.

The Guardian

That has serious consequences if that rapist goes on to attack another person.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has serious consequences", ensure that the severity and nature of the consequences are clear to the audience. Providing specific examples or details can strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "has serious consequences" hyperbolically. If the consequences are minor or easily mitigated, the phrase can sound exaggerated and diminish your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has serious consequences" functions as a verb phrase that emphasizes the negative outcomes resulting from a particular action or situation. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically correct expression. The examples show its use in describing a range of issues from health to societal problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has serious consequences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to underscore the significant negative outcomes of actions or situations. As Ludwig affirms, it's a correct expression. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, this phrase serves to warn, inform, or persuade, typically within neutral to formal registers. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the nature and severity of the consequences to maximize its impact and avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entails grave repercussions

Replaces "serious consequences" with more formal and emphatic language.

results in severe ramifications

Substitutes "consequences" with "ramifications" and "serious" with "severe", highlighting the far-reaching impact.

leads to dire outcomes

Emphasizes the negative and potentially catastrophic nature of the consequences.

produces significant fallout

Uses "fallout" to suggest widespread and lasting negative effects.

causes substantial damage

Focuses on the harmful effects or losses incurred as a result.

poses considerable risks

Highlights the potential dangers and uncertainties associated with the situation.

incurs major penalties

Implies formal punishments or sanctions resulting from the action.

creates considerable problems

Indicates the emergence of significant issues or difficulties.

generates adverse effects

Focuses on the negative impacts or unintended results.

spells trouble

An idiomatic expression indicating impending difficulties or negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "has serious consequences" in a sentence?

The phrase "has serious consequences" is typically used to emphasize the significant negative impact of an action, decision, or situation. For example: "Ignoring safety regulations "has serious consequences" for worker safety."

What are some alternatives to saying "has serious consequences"?

You can use alternatives such as "results in severe ramifications", "leads to dire outcomes", or "entails grave repercussions" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to say "has serious consequence" or "has serious consequences"?

"Has serious consequence" is grammatically incorrect. The noun should be plural, "consequences", as it typically refers to multiple or far-reaching effects.

What kind of situations warrant the use of "has serious consequences"?

This phrase is best used when describing situations where actions or events can lead to significant negative outcomes, such as in discussions about public health, legal matters, environmental issues, or financial decisions.