pernicious outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pernicious outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a harmful or destructive result of an action or situation. Example: "The new policy led to a pernicious outcome that affected the community negatively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A recent paper* describes the constraints under which Russia's post-communist businesses work, and the logical, if pernicious, outcome.

The Economist

The pernicious outcome of this decision is that 130,000 low-income women will find it much harder to receive access to the cancer screenings, contraceptive services and basic healthcare that Planned Parenthood has long provided.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rating agencies were complicit in this, too, as they helped banks structure these securities to attract the highest ratings.A second pernicious outcome of the old rules was that they turned investment banks from intermediaries to proprietary traders.

The Economist

The pernicious outcome of demoralization is the powerful phenomenon of unwitting self-fulfilling prophesy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So beware a popular mythology of hardwiring that can result in some very concrete – and pernicious – outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

As I may possibly have mentioned before, the absence of international financial regulation, including serious measures against tax evasion, are the basis for these particular, pernicious outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, the act also had a pernicious effect.

The New York Times

Pernicious result: Moral hazard.

Forbes

Pernicious result: Ushered in an era of worldwide protectionism.

Forbes

A more pernicious cultural result may have emerged as well.

The New York Times

That outcome is particularly pernicious in economies with high levels of debt, as Japan painfully discovered in the 1990s.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pernicious outcome", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause leading to this negative result. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

While "pernicious outcome" is a valid phrase, it's best suited for formal or analytical writing. Avoid using it in casual conversations or informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pernicious outcome" functions as a noun phrase where "pernicious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "outcome". It describes a result or consequence that is harmful or destructive. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is appropriate in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pernicious outcome" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe a harmful or destructive result. As Ludwig confirms, it is acceptable in written English. While not frequently used (classified as rare), it is particularly suited for formal contexts such as news and media, as evidenced by the provided examples. Its function is to emphasize the negative and often insidious nature of a consequence. Related phrases include "harmful effect" and "detrimental consequence", offering similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "pernicious outcome", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause leading to this negative result to improve clarity and the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimental consequence

Replaces "pernicious" with "detrimental" and "outcome" with "consequence", altering the tone slightly to a more neutral negative.

harmful effect

Substitutes both words with synonyms indicating damage or injury as a result.

damaging result

Similar to "harmful effect", emphasizing the negative impact of a particular action or event.

negative aftermath

Focuses on the period following an event and its adverse effects.

adverse repercussion

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe an unwelcome indirect consequence.

unfavorable development

Indicates a turn of events that is not beneficial or positive.

catastrophic end

Emphasizes a complete disaster or failure as the final result.

grave consequence

Highlights the seriousness and potential for long-term damage of the result.

deleterious effect

Uses a more technical or scientific term to denote a subtly harmful impact.

undesirable result

Focuses on the lack of preference for the end state.

FAQs

How can I use "pernicious outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "pernicious outcome" to describe a harmful or destructive result of an action or situation. For example: "The lack of funding led to a "pernicious outcome", with the project failing to meet its goals."

What are some alternatives to "pernicious outcome"?

Alternatives include "harmful effect", "detrimental consequence", or "damaging result". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "pernicious" mean in the context of "pernicious outcome"?

In this context, "pernicious" means having a subtly harmful or destructive effect. It suggests that the outcome is not only negative but also insidious or gradually damaging.

Is "pernicious outcome" a formal phrase?

Yes, "pernicious outcome" is generally considered a formal phrase and is more appropriate for academic, professional, or analytical writing rather than casual conversation.