most damaging consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most damaging consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the negative effects or outcomes of a particular action, event, or situation. Example: "The most damaging consequence of climate change is the loss of biodiversity, which threatens ecosystems worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The most damaging consequence is that by 2000 31% of American adults were obese, with another 16% defined as overweight.

The Economist

But the most damaging consequence of the conviction that all politicians lie is that it breeds contempt, a kneejerk refusal to listen.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the shrinking purse — under $600,000 this year, down from $925,000 in 2008 — is potentially the most damaging consequence of the race's financial issues.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps the most damaging consequence of the legislative box is that it left Mr. Obama, who still regards himself as an outsider and a reformer, looking like a Congressional insider — which is about the last thing voters, and independent voters in particular, wanted him to be.

The New York Times

As such, specialists suggest that the most damaging consequence of moral distress is in fact burnout [6, 14].

Annals of Intensive Care

The most damaging consequence of continual reductions in funding for PEPFAR is slower than necessary progress in pursuing the end of the AIDS pandemic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

One of the most damaging consequences of repression was the near silencing of Argentina's truly cosmopolitan artistic conversation, a conversation that goes back decades.

The New York Times - Arts

The country's absence from international sports rankled South Africans; by 1977 they ranked it in a poll as one of the three most damaging consequences of apartheid.

The New York Times

IT IS clearly good news that Democrats and Republicans have reached a deal to avoid the most damaging consequences of falling off the fiscal cliff.

The Economist

My preference would be for an effective cap and trade system, which gives us some chance of avoiding the most damaging consequences of climate change, but in the absence of this a carbon tax is a start, although a less ideal and flexible one.

The Guardian

One of the saddest and most damaging consequences of the Religious Right's grip on partisan power over the past three decades has been the tarnishing of Christianity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most damaging consequence", ensure the context clearly establishes what action or event is causing the negative outcome. Be specific about the cause-and-effect relationship for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "most damaging consequence" when the outcome is only mildly negative. Ensure the consequence truly represents a significant adverse impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most damaging consequence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the most severe negative outcome resulting from a particular action, event, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most damaging consequence" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to emphasize the most severe negative outcome of a situation. While Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the consequence is indeed significant. Its usage spans across news, science, and formal business contexts, with alternatives like "worst repercussion" or "most harmful outcome" offering similar meanings. When writing, ensure the cause-and-effect relationship is clear and avoid overstating the negativity. While the term is relatively uncommon, it effectively highlights critical adverse effects, making it a valuable tool in persuasive and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worst repercussion

Replaces "consequence" with "repercussion" and uses "worst" instead of "most damaging", emphasizing the severity.

most harmful outcome

Substitutes "damaging" with "harmful" and "consequence" with "outcome", keeping the core meaning but with slightly different vocabulary.

greatest negative effect

Uses "greatest negative effect" to convey the same meaning, focusing on the impact.

primary adverse result

Replaces "most damaging" with "primary adverse" and "consequence" with "result", offering a more formal tone.

most serious implication

Focuses on the implied or suggested result using the word "implication".

principal detrimental impact

Substitutes several words to create a more formal and emphatic expression.

key detrimental effect

Highlights the significance of the negative effect by calling it "key".

major downside

A simpler, more informal way to express a significantly negative result.

chief negative ramification

Emphasizes the far-reaching effects by using "ramification" instead of consequence.

worst fallout

A more colloquial expression emphasizing the negative results that follow an event.

FAQs

How can I use "most damaging consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "most damaging consequence" to highlight the most severe negative outcome of a situation. For example, "The most damaging consequence of deforestation is the loss of biodiversity."

What is a good alternative to "most damaging consequence"?

Alternatives include "worst repercussion", "most harmful outcome", or "greatest negative effect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "most damaging consequence" a formal or informal phrase?

"Most damaging consequence" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "principal detrimental impact" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "most damaging consequence" and "negative impact"?

"Most damaging consequence" emphasizes the severity and specific outcome, while "negative impact" is a more general term referring to any adverse effect. The former is more pointed and impactful, whereas the latter is a more generic assessment.