natural consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"natural consequence" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a result or outcome that is expected or inevitable based on a previous action or event. Example: His reckless behavior led to the natural consequence of getting fired from his job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was the natural consequence of the Bush administration policy.

The New York Times

As a natural consequence, they each have imitators.

The Guardian - Books

This is a natural consequence of a single currency.

The Guardian

Bilingualism was once just the natural consequence of immigration.

The New York Times

"Gorge Yourself" speaks to the natural consequence of capitalism in a democracy.

The New York Times - Science

The natural consequence was to support government austerity programmes, which can only make the situation worse.

The Guardian - Business

Portzamparc has absorbed the disruptions of the 1960's as a natural consequence of his urbanity.

The New York Times - Arts

But perhaps this overreaching is a natural consequence of Smith's ambition.

The New York Times - Books

Zapp takes every coincidental encounter as a natural consequence of his own importance.

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't censorship, it was the natural consequence of socially unacceptable behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is a natural consequence of the deleveraging of the banking system.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact and clarity, follow "natural consequence" with a 'of' phrase that clearly identifies the originating action or event (e.g., "the natural consequence of widespread deforestation").

Common error

Avoid using "natural consequence" when the outcome is not directly and logically linked to the preceding event. Ensure a clear and demonstrable connection to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "natural consequence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a predictable or expected result stemming from a particular action or situation. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "natural consequence" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that denotes an expected or logical outcome of a preceding event or action. As Ludwig AI explains, it is typically used to describe a result that is inevitable given the circumstances. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, careful usage is advised to ensure the consequence is genuinely a direct and foreseeable result of its cause. Alternatives like "logical outcome" or "inevitable result" can be employed to fine-tune the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

logical outcome

Emphasizes the rational and reasoned connection between cause and effect.

inevitable result

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the outcome given the preceding circumstances.

expected conclusion

Focuses on the anticipation and predictability of the outcome.

unavoidable effect

Stresses the impossibility of preventing the outcome.

foreseeable consequence

Implies the ability to anticipate the outcome in advance.

direct result

Indicates a clear and immediate connection between cause and effect.

predictable outcome

Suggests that the result was easily anticipated based on the circumstances.

logical conclusion

Highlights the reasoned and rational derivation of the outcome.

expected fallout

Implies a negative or undesirable outcome that was anticipated.

resulting effect

A more generic way to indicate the effect that happened as result of a cause.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "natural consequence" in a sentence?

Use "natural consequence" to highlight the logical and expected outcome of a particular action or event. For example, "The decline in sales was a "natural consequence" of the poor marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "natural consequence"?

You can use alternatives such as "logical outcome", "inevitable result", or "expected conclusion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a subtle difference between "natural consequence" and "logical consequence"?

"Natural consequence" often implies an inherent or almost organic connection between cause and effect, while "logical consequence" emphasizes a reasoned or rational connection. The choice depends on whether you want to stress inherent connection vs. rational deduction.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "natural consequence"?

It is inappropriate to use "natural consequence" if the outcome is unexpected, random, or not directly linked to the preceding event. Ensure that the consequence is a direct and foreseeable result, or choose a different phrase like "unexpected result" or "chance occurrence".