serious repercussions

USAGE SUMMARY

'serious repercussions' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to the negative consequences or effects of an action or event. For example: The bank's mistake had serious repercussions, causing a lot of financial distress for their customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That has had serious repercussions.

The Economist

But there were serious repercussions.

The Guardian

Did Moscow face any "serious repercussions"?

The Washington Post

"This would lead to very serious repercussions.

The New York Times

She added: "That has very serious repercussions".

The Guardian - Tech

Generally, one stray C won't have serious repercussions.

The New York Times

Hamas said the ground invasion would have serious repercussions.

Independent

The commencement and countercommencement proceeded without serious repercussions.

The New York Times - Health

These revelations have also had serious repercussions in Congress.

The Guardian - Opinion

And violating those rules can have serious repercussions.

The New York Times - Sports

But this most recent error carried serious repercussions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious repercussions" to underscore the gravity of a situation, especially when aiming to persuade or warn against a particular course of action.

Common error

Avoid using "serious repercussions" without clearly specifying what the repercussions stem from. Ambiguity weakens the statement and reduces its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious repercussions" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As noted by Ludwig, it is used to denote negative consequences or effects resulting from a particular action or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious repercussions" is a commonly used noun phrase denoting significant negative consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and functions to emphasize the gravity of a situation, often serving as a warning or caution. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, demonstrating its versatility across various fields. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the action or event leading to these repercussions to maximize impact and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave consequences

Emphasizes the severity and significance of the negative outcomes.

dire consequences

Highlights the disastrous and urgent nature of the results.

severe consequences

Focuses on the intensity and harshness of the outcomes.

significant ramifications

Highlights the broad and far-reaching impact of the consequences.

adverse outcomes

Focuses on the unfavorable and detrimental nature of the results.

negative aftereffects

Stresses the subsequent and harmful results following an event.

major implications

Highlights the important and significant effects of something.

unfortunate outcomes

Focuses on the unlucky or regrettable nature of the results.

damaging consequences

Emphasizes the harm and destruction caused by the outcomes.

far-reaching effects

Highlights that the effects extend widely and affect many areas.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious repercussions" to describe the negative outcomes of an action or decision. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols can have "serious repercussions" for everyone involved".

What are some alternatives to "serious repercussions"?

Some alternatives include "grave consequences", "dire consequences", or "severe consequences" depending on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "serious repercussions" or "serious implications"?

"Serious repercussions" focuses more on the direct negative consequences, while "serious implications" /s/serious+implications suggests broader, less direct effects or future consequences. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of actions typically lead to "serious repercussions"?

Actions that involve negligence, ethical violations, or violations of rules and regulations often lead to "serious repercussions". Examples include ignoring safety guidelines, making unethical business decisions, or breaking the law.