indirect consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indirect consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that is not a direct result of an action but occurs as a secondary effect. Example: "The new policy led to an indirect consequence of increased employee morale, even though it was not the primary goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an indirect consequence of making more money available.

The Guardian

Instead, he got his chance as an indirect consequence of Parker's success, as David Puttnam explains.

The Guardian - Film

With a bit of luck, the indirect consequence will be an increase in votes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Happiness is often an indirect consequence of our actions and the way we think.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As many as 20,000 Afghans may have lost their lives as an indirect consequence of the US intervention.

The Guardian

It's been a more indirect consequence; the mass influx of international organisations, with international staff, has injected international cash into Tacloban city.

The Guardian

The vehicle came into being as an indirect consequence of a government policy that was partly meant to accommodate environmental concerns.

The New Yorker

He chuckled, and added, "Obviously, if you improve all the cells in your body, as an indirect consequence you will live longer".

The New Yorker

Another indirect consequence of the NDIS, as well as providing us with much more choice and control, is the uniting and strengthening of the disability sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since Set2/H3K36me is a histone modification associated with transcription elongation, we wondered whether any of the genetic interactions observed might be an indirect consequence of transcriptional alterations.

Nature

As if being deposed by Oklahoma in the seismic rankings weren't humiliation enough, California has been deflating this year as an indirect consequence of the persistent drought.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indirect consequence" when you want to emphasize that a result was not the primary or intended outcome, but rather a secondary effect of an action or event. This adds nuance and precision to your writing, clarifying the causal relationship.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two events are linked, one is an "indirect consequence" of the other. Ensure there is a logical and demonstrable connection, even if it's not a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indirect consequence" functions as a noun phrase used to describe an outcome or result that is not the primary or intended effect of an action or event. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly describes outcomes that arise secondarily.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indirect consequence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe secondary or unintended outcomes of actions or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase in English writing. Evidenced by its presence across diverse fields like science, news, and general discourse, its function is to provide a more nuanced and thorough analysis of effects beyond the immediate or intended results. When using "indirect consequence", ensure that a logical connection exists between the initial action and the resulting outcome. Alternatives like "secondary effect" or "unintended outcome" may be suitable depending on the desired emphasis. Avoiding misinterpretations of causality is key to correctly employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consequential effect

Highlights a result that follows as a logical effect of something.

secondary effect

Highlights the result as being a second-order effect.

unintended outcome

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the result.

collateral result

Emphasizes the result as accompanying the main outcome.

side effect

Focuses on an additional, often negative, result.

downstream effect

Indicates a result occurring later in a sequence of events.

ripple effect

Suggests a spreading, consequential impact.

ancillary outcome

Highlights the result as supplementary or auxiliary.

unforeseen ramification

Emphasizes the unexpected and complex nature of the result.

derivative impact

Indicates that the impact is derived from another event.

FAQs

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

Use "indirect consequence" to describe an outcome that is not the primary result of an action, but occurs as a secondary effect. For instance, "The new policy had the "indirect consequence" of increasing employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "indirect consequence"?

You can use alternatives such as "secondary effect", "unintended outcome", or "collateral result" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "indirect consequence" in formal writing?

Yes, "indirect consequence" is appropriate for formal writing, including academic papers, reports, and business communications. Its use suggests a careful and considered analysis of cause and effect.

What is the difference between a direct and an "indirect consequence"?

A direct consequence is the immediate and intended result of an action, whereas an "indirect consequence" is a secondary or unintended outcome that arises as a result of the initial action. It's a consequence that's not immediately obvious.