negative outcomes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'negative outcomes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the likely or potential undesirable results of a particular action or situation. For example, "The health department was worried about the negative outcomes of their decision to relax virus-related restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And there are negative outcomes.

The New York Times

None of these are necessarily negative outcomes.

The New York Times - Tech

What positive and/or negative outcomes resulted from his or her work?

The New York Times

The 'Time is Money' concept when practiced in China is likely to result in negative outcomes.

The Guardian

They believe they can do little to prevent negative outcomes, whereas, somehow, the baby can.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Development interventions involve change, and change can result in profoundly negative outcomes for some or many.

The Guardian

What positive and negative outcomes arose in the class consensus exercise?

The New York Times

Virus exposure was associated with all four negative outcomes, but especially highly with pre-eclampsia.

The New York Times - Health

"Today's food and farming systems led systematically to negative outcomes and vulnerabilities.

The Guardian

Both positive and negative outcomes need to be part of tomorrow's discussion.

The New York Times

Neither can afford to have negative outcomes so they are not doing the studies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negative outcomes", be specific about the context and clearly define what makes the outcome negative. Avoid vague or generic uses.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something has "negative outcomes" without specifying what those outcomes are. Provide concrete details to strengthen your argument and inform your audience.

Linguistic Context

"Negative outcomes" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies undesirable results or consequences arising from a particular action, situation, or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase used to refer to undesired results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negative outcomes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote undesirable results or consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Its prevalence across various sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals indicates its broad applicability and acceptance in both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the outcomes. Consider using alternatives like "adverse consequences" or "unfavorable results" to diversify your writing. Remember to avoid vague descriptors and provide concrete details to enhance the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative consequences

Is highly similar, but uses "consequences" which implies more of a direct relationship.

adverse consequences

Replaces "outcomes" with "consequences" and "negative" with "adverse", suggesting a more direct causal link.

unfavorable results

Substitutes "outcomes" with "results" and "negative" with "unfavorable", implying a less severe impact.

unwanted outcomes

Replaces "negative" with "unwanted", emphasizing the lack of desire for the result.

detrimental effects

Emphasizes the harmful impact by using "detrimental" instead of "negative" and focuses on the impact with effects.

undesirable consequences

Replaces "negative" with "undesirable", softening the tone while retaining the meaning.

deleterious effects

Employs a more formal and technical term, "deleterious", to describe the harmful effects.

poor results

Simplifies the phrase using "poor" to describe the outcomes, suggesting a lack of quality.

harmful effects

Focuses specifically on the damaging nature of the outcomes using "harmful".

ill effects

Uses "ill" to denote negative effects, which may be more common in specific contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "negative outcomes" in a sentence?

You can use "negative outcomes" to describe the undesirable results of a situation or action. For example, "The study showed that the policy change led to "negative outcomes" in student performance."

What are some alternatives to using "negative outcomes"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "adverse consequences", "unfavorable results", or "detrimental effects".

Is it better to say "negative results" or "negative outcomes"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "negative outcomes" is often used when discussing the broader consequences of an action or situation, while "negative results" might refer to specific data or measurements.

What's the difference between "negative effects" and "negative outcomes"?

"Negative effects" typically refer to the direct impacts or influences of something, whereas "negative outcomes" encompasses the overall consequences or end results, which might include indirect effects.