indirect consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indirect consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to outcomes or effects that are not immediately obvious or direct results of an action or event. Example: "The new policy may lead to indirect consequences that we have not yet considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the indirect consequences could be profound.

The Economist

The run on real estate has had indirect consequences, too.

The Guardian

For Minoan Crete, the scientists see direct and indirect consequences.

The New York Times - Science

Obamacare has also had some important indirect consequences.

The New York Times

These are often, as risk-perception researcher Paul Slovic says, the indirect consequences of unexpected events.

The Guardian - Opinion

Less visible are the many who survive the fall but not the indirect consequences.

The New York Times

The AIDS epidemic that swept through sub-Saharan Africa had indirect consequences for sports in Botswana.

The New York Times - Sports

The resolutions had been particularly successful through their indirect consequences, explained Dagan, by stigmatizing Iranian businesses and discouraging risk-averse Europeans from being connected with Iran.

The Guardian

And if one of the indirect consequences of Windsor is the erosion of civil unions everywhere, allowing gay marriage nationwide will signal progress only for some.

The Guardian - Opinion

The direct damage has been estimated at $350m, but the indirect consequences will be much more than that.

The Economist

But as evidence of indirect consequences has grown -- like the chemical combinations that form smog, for instance, or acid rain, which mainly affects aquatic life -- the boundary of what is considered harmful has expanded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex situations, explicitly consider and address the "indirect consequences" to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on immediate or direct outcomes. Analyze potential "indirect consequences" that might arise later, ensuring a complete understanding of the situation's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indirect consequences" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting outcomes that are not the primary or immediate result of an action or event, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indirect consequences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively describes outcomes that are not directly caused by an action or event but rather arise as secondary or subsequent effects. Found across diverse fields such as science, news, and formal business communication, it's crucial to consider these "indirect consequences" for comprehensive analysis and decision-making. Common errors involve overlooking these long-term effects, which can be avoided by proactively brainstorming potential ramifications. Alternatives like "secondary effects" or "unintended outcomes" can be used depending on the context. In essence, understanding "indirect consequences" enhances foresight and informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary effects

Focuses on the effect being a result of something else, similar to an "indirect consequence".

unintended outcomes

Highlights that the result was not planned or anticipated, like some "indirect consequences".

side effects

Implies an additional, often negative, result alongside the intended one. "Indirect consequences" can also be side effects.

downstream effects

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the consequence, occurring after the initial action, akin to "indirect consequences".

knock-on effects

Suggests a chain reaction where one event triggers another, like "indirect consequences" spreading out.

ripple effects

Describes consequences that spread outwards from the initial action, similar to "indirect consequences".

derivative impacts

Focuses on how the consequences are derived or stem from a primary event, akin to "indirect consequences".

ancillary results

Highlights that the results are supplementary or additional, like "indirect consequences".

consequential impacts

Implies a chain reaction where a primary event leads to following impacts which can be "indirect consequences".

ensuing effects

Indicates that effects follow or result from a particular event, often broader in scope than direct results, similar to "indirect consequences".

FAQs

How can I identify potential "indirect consequences"?

Consider long-term effects, secondary impacts on related systems, and unintended outcomes. Brainstorming sessions and scenario planning can help reveal less obvious results.

What are some alternatives to "indirect consequences"?

You can use alternatives like "secondary effects", "unintended outcomes", or "side effects" depending on the context.

Are "indirect consequences" always negative?

No, "indirect consequences" can be positive, negative, or neutral. The term simply refers to effects that are not the primary or intended result.

Why is it important to consider "indirect consequences"?

Failing to consider "indirect consequences" can lead to incomplete assessments, unforeseen problems, and ineffective decision-making. A comprehensive understanding requires analyzing both direct and indirect impacts.