serious consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a serious (often negative) outcome from an action or event. For example, "The reckless driving charge has serious consequences, including a hefty fine and possibly jail time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A misshapen body is the least serious consequence of scoliosis.

The New York Times

The steady upgrading process has another serious consequence.

The New York Times - Arts

"One of these attacks has had the most serious consequence," he said.

The Guardian

Bone metastases, or the spread of cancer to the bone, are a serious consequence of breast cancer.

The New York Times

One serious consequence is heart disease, which appears to be caused by inflammation of the artery walls.

The New Yorker

The most serious consequence is blindness, which occurs when the membrane behind the retina calcifies and develops cracks.

The New York Times

Charles McGrath (July 29) left out a serious consequence of the unequal treatment of women on the golf course.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the disease's most likely serious consequence is a calcification and cracking of the membrane behind the retina.

The New York Times - Science

The US will hope Solo, seemingly unaffected by the taunts of the crowd and flawless against France, has the errors out of her system without serious consequence.

The Guardian - Sport

(Such a serious consequence, he said, is an unlikely outcome of a skin infection, whose symptoms would typically be limited to redness, pain and pus).

The New York Times

One serious consequence of an American slowdown would be a sharp drop in exports by the recovering Asian nations, whose finances are still generally shaky.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious consequence" when you want to emphasize the severity of the outcome. For instance, instead of saying "the outcome was bad", specify "the outcome was a serious consequence" to add weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "serious consequence" to describe minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is genuinely severe, such as health issues, legal troubles, or significant financial losses. Overusing it can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious consequence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "consequence". It indicates a significant and often negative outcome. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious consequence" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes a significant and often negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in science and news media, indicating its relevance across diverse domains. To effectively use this phrase, emphasize its severity and reserve it for genuinely critical situations. Alternatives like "grave outcome" or "major repercussion" can be used to add nuance. Be aware of overuse and ensure the phrase aligns with the seriousness of the situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave outcome

Emphasizes the severity and potential finality of the consequence.

major repercussion

Highlights the far-reaching and impactful nature of the consequence.

severe ramification

Stresses the complexity and interconnectedness of the negative effects.

critical implication

Focuses on the significance and potential future impact of the consequence.

dire result

Underscores the calamitous and urgent nature of the consequence.

significant fallout

Implies widespread negative effects following an event.

substantial impact

Highlights the considerable influence and effect of the consequence.

deleterious effect

Focuses on the harmful and damaging nature of the consequence.

negative aftermath

Highlights the adverse period and results following an event.

unfavorable development

Presents the consequence as an unwelcome turn of events.

FAQs

How can I use "serious consequence" in a sentence?

You can use "serious consequence" to describe a grave outcome resulting from an action or event. For example, "Ignoring safety regulations can have a "serious consequence" on worker safety".

What are some alternatives to saying "serious consequence"?

Alternatives include "grave outcome", "major repercussion", or "severe ramification", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "serious consequence" and "negative effect"?

"Serious consequence" implies a greater level of severity and potential impact than "negative effect". A "negative effect" might be a minor inconvenience, whereas a "serious consequence" suggests a significant and potentially damaging outcome.

Is it appropriate to use "serious consequence" in formal writing?

Yes, "serious consequence" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to express the severity of an outcome in professional or academic contexts. The level of formality depends, however, on the general tonality of the content.