permanent consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"permanent consequence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an outcome that is lasting and unchangeable. An example is: "The decision led to a permanent consequence that affected future generations." Alternative expressions include "lasting effect" and "enduring result."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If interceptions continue to plague him over the next three months, he could be facing a similar, and more permanent, consequence.

The New York Times - Sports

The most debilitating and permanent consequence of chronic prenatal ethanol exposure (CPEE) is neurobehavioral teratogenicity, which often manifests as cognitive and behavioral impairments, including deficits in spatial learning and memory.

Behavioural Brain Research

It also had the permanent consequence of empowering German princes at the expense of the German emperors.

Wikipedia

Now imagine that your distress weren't the temporary consequence of reading an article, but rather the permanent consequence of living in your own skin.

Huffington Post

CNS dysfunction is the most severe and permanent consequence of in utero alcohol exposure and the only feature present in all other disorders in FASD.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bad habits will no longer have permanent consequences.

The New York Times - Books

In infants and immune-compromised adults, however, it has serious, permanent consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This is a very big moment for our country and a very big decision with permanent consequences," he said.

The Guardian

They dog-ear pages with the impulsiveness of clicking a mouse, not realizing that their actions have permanent consequences.

The New York Times

"Such a political mistake can have permanent consequences when it hits a society that is already in a state of clear austerity fatigue," he said.

The New York Times

Thus, critics say, the dam will have permanent consequences for life in the river, including possible extinction of larger species, but may only produce several decades of electricity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with serious topics such as medical health, historical shifts or significant policy changes to maintain an appropriate tone.

Common error

Avoid using redundant modifiers like "final permanent consequence" or "unchangeable permanent consequence" as the word permanent already implies the highest degree of finality. This keeps your writing concise and powerful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "permanent consequence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "permanent" modifies the noun "consequence" to specify the duration and finality of an outcome. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the direct object of a sentence or the subject of a passive construction, highlighting the severity of an action's result.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "permanent consequence" is a robust and grammatically correct phrase used to denote results that are lasting and unchangeable. According to data from Ludwig, the phrase is particularly prevalent in Scientific and News contexts, where it describes everything from neurobehavioral impairments to major geopolitical shifts. While the exact singular match is statistically rare compared to its plural counterpart, the linguistic weight it carries remains significant. Writers should use it to emphasize the absolute finality of an outcome, ensuring it is applied to contexts where the result is truly irreversible. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a high-authority choice for academic and formal reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting impact

Emphasizes the deep influence left by an event rather than just the final result

unalterable consequence

A more formal and clinical way to describe something that cannot be modified

irreversible result

Focuses specifically on the inability to undo or change the outcome

enduring effect

Suggests a consequence that continues to exist over a long period

permanent repercussion

Carries a slightly more negative or complex connotation regarding the aftermath

lifelong outcome

Typically used in personal or health contexts to describe an effect spanning a lifetime

fixed aftermath

Suggests the situation following an event has become static and unchangeable

perpetual fallout

Focuses on the ongoing negative effects that seem to never end

terminal consequence

Often used in logical or biological contexts to indicate the final possible stage

indelible impression

Used metaphorically to describe an effect that cannot be erased from memory or history

FAQs

How do I use "permanent consequence" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a lasting result, for example: "The environmental damage was a "permanent consequence" of the industrial leak."

What can I say instead of "permanent consequence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/lasting+impact" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lasting impact", "<a href="/s/irreversible+result" target="_blank" rel="alternative">irreversible result" or "<a href="/s/enduring+effect" target="_blank" rel="alternative">enduring effect".

Is "permanent consequence" or "lasting consequence" more common?

While both are correct, "<a href="/s/lasting+consequence" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lasting consequence" is often used for events that persist for a long time but might eventually fade, whereas "permanent consequence" implies they will never change.

What is the difference between a "permanent consequence" and a "temporary one"?

A "permanent consequence" is fixed and unalterable, while a "<a href="/s/temporary+consequence" target="_blank" rel="alternative">temporary consequence" is expected to resolve or be corrected over time.