have serious consequences for

USAGE SUMMARY

"have serious consequences for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about the potential negative outcomes of an action. For example: Not adhering to safety regulations can have serious consequences for both workers and employers.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Information security breaches have serious consequences for companies.

Computer Fraud & Security

Mistriage can have serious consequences for patients with urgent complaints.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

This can have serious consequences for grain boundary engineering.

Acta Materialia

A CGU investigation could have serious consequences for Rolls-Royce.

The Guardian - Business

"This could have serious consequences for the hospital.

The New York Times

Any cross-border attack could have serious consequences for Lebanon.

The New York Times

A long strike could have serious consequences for the economy.

The Economist

A sharp slowdown would have serious consequences for Mr Zapatero.

The Economist

The "phantom goal" would have serious consequences for Nuremberg.

The Guardian - Sport

Left untreated, severe preeclampsia can have serious consequences for both mother and fetus.

Columbia University

Such "resident-to-resident mistreatment" can have serious consequences for both aggressors and victims.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "have serious consequences for", be specific about who or what will be affected by the consequences. For example, instead of saying "The decision could have serious consequences", specify "The decision could have serious consequences for the company's reputation and financial stability."

Common error

Avoid using "have serious consequences for" without providing context or specifying the exact nature of the potential consequences. This can make your writing seem alarmist and lacking in substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have serious consequences for" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a particular action, event, or situation will result in significant negative or undesirable outcomes for the specified entity. Ludwig AI confirms its general use and acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have serious consequences for" is a versatile expression used to highlight the potential negative outcomes of actions or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. This analysis reveals it's common in news, scientific, and academic writing, indicating its relevance across various formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what or who will be affected, and avoid vague language to maximize clarity. Consider alternatives like "have grave consequences for" or "pose a significant threat to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have grave consequences for

Emphasizes the severity and seriousness of the potential outcomes.

have major repercussions for

Highlights the significant and widespread impact of the consequences.

pose a significant threat to

Focuses on the danger or risk that something presents to a particular entity or situation.

carry considerable risks for

Emphasizes the element of risk and the extent of the potential harm.

create substantial problems for

Highlights the creation of significant difficulties or issues as a result.

entail severe ramifications for

Stresses the far-reaching and serious nature of the effects.

result in significant harm to

Focuses on the direct causation of harm or damage to something or someone.

lead to critical challenges for

Emphasizes the emergence of difficult and important challenges as a consequence.

cause detrimental effects on

Highlights the causing of negative or damaging effects.

present a danger to

Focuses on the element of risk and direct danger to a specified target.

FAQs

How can I use "have serious consequences for" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that an action or situation will lead to significant negative outcomes for someone or something. For example, "Not adhering to safety regulations can "have serious consequences for" both workers and employers."

What can I say instead of "have serious consequences for"?

You can use alternatives like "have grave consequences for", "pose a significant threat to", or "carry considerable risks for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "have serious consequences for" or "have major consequences for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Have serious consequences for" emphasizes the severity of the outcomes, while "have major consequences for" highlights the scale or scope of the impact. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "have serious consequences for" and "have serious repercussions for"?

The phrases are very similar. "Have serious consequences for" is a more general term for negative outcomes, while "have serious repercussions for" implies more far-reaching and often indirect effects as a result of an action or event.