of dire consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"of dire consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to describe a situation that is severe, serious, and consequential. For example: She realized the seriousness of her mistake—it could have of dire consequence.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is of dire consequence in tissue engineering, where seeded cells and bioactive components are separated from the native tissue, limiting the regenerative potential of the design.

Biomaterials

For the men who ran the network, a seemingly trivial disagreement over booking guests was about to become a matter of dire consequence.

The New Yorker

There may be fears about the future development of physical or mental symptoms, a belief that actual but minor symptoms are of dire consequence, or an experience of normal bodily sensations as threatening symptoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to critics, the new measures would unreasonably raise the standard required for the government to hold corporate executives criminally liable for wrongdoing; the government would have to prove that the executives hadn't just committed a crime but knowingly done so, even in instances of dire consequence to the public, such as lethal pollution and unsafe food or drugs.

The New Yorker

The remaining four strategies for dealing with the problem of dire consequence cases all have the flavor of evasion by the deontologist.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Siegel warned of dire consequences if that happens in Philadelphia.

The New York Times

Supporters of the bill warned of dire consequences should it not pass.

The New York Times

His successor, Mike O'Brien, warned of dire consequences if the pit was not granted permission.

The Guardian - Opinion

They also warned of dire consequences should the case be proven against the banks.

The Guardian - Business

But he warned of dire consequences if the situation remains unchanged.

The New York Times

But he will warn of dire consequences if the UK opts to leave.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to use a more emphatic phrase to convey the severity of something, consider "of dire consequence" instead of the more commonplace "important" or "serious".

Common error

Avoid using "of dire consequence" in contexts where the consequences are merely inconvenient or mildly negative. It's best reserved for situations with truly significant and potentially devastating outcomes. For less severe instances, consider using alternatives like "important" or "significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of dire consequence" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating the severity or seriousness of the consequence. The expression is used to emphasize the potential for extremely negative or harmful outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of dire consequence" is a phrase used to emphasize the extremely serious and potentially catastrophic nature of a consequence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and used in formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While not exceedingly common, it is a powerful way to highlight the severity of a situation, and should be reserved for scenarios where the results could be genuinely devastating. Remember to avoid overusing it in everyday situations where simpler alternatives would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with serious consequences

A more straightforward alternative, highlighting the gravity of the outcome.

with dire implications

Similar but uses "implications" instead of "consequence", subtly shifting the focus to potential future outcomes.

with grave implications

Focuses on the serious and far-reaching effects of a situation.

with devastating impact

Focuses on the destructive and overwhelming nature of the effects.

with severe repercussions

Emphasizes the negative consequences and impact of an action or event.

with calamitous results

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the outcome.

with critical ramifications

Highlights the crucial and complex nature of the resulting effects.

with tragic outcomes

Highlights the sorrowful and unfortunate nature of the consequences.

with momentous significance

Emphasizes the high importance and potential long-term impact.

with far-reaching effects

Stresses the broad scope and extent of the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "of dire consequence" in a sentence?

Use "of dire consequence" to describe situations where the results could be extremely serious or dangerous. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols can be of dire consequence".

What are some phrases similar to "of dire consequence"?

Alternatives include "with grave implications", "with severe repercussions", or "with serious consequences".

When is it appropriate to use "of dire consequence"?

It's appropriate when emphasizing the potentially devastating or catastrophic results of a situation. Reserve it for truly serious scenarios.

Is "of dire consequence" interchangeable with "important" or "significant"?

While they share a connection, "of dire consequence" conveys a far greater level of severity and danger compared to the more general terms "important" or "significant". Using "of dire consequence" implies the potential for extremely negative or catastrophic outcomes.