severe consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or harsh result that follows from an action or decision. Example: "Failing to adhere to safety protocols can lead to severe consequences for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The progressive collapse of structures, being the most severe consequence of blast generated waves, has been the subject of several studies.

Journal of King Saud University - Engineering Sciences

The most severe consequence, health experts say, is the loss of the prescription drug benefits that covered 68percentt of those enrolled in such plans.

The New York Times

And, when he is drawn to young Jamie Logan, he is haunted by the loss of sexual potency, another severe consequence of the cancer surgery.

The Guardian - Books

The most severe consequence for the elderly and disabled being dropped by their H.M.O.'s, health experts say, is the loss of the prescription drug benefits that covered 68percentt of those enrolled in such plans.

The New York Times

Apart from the risk of this over-reliance on two writers (with Jane Austen sometimes employed as an impact substitute), their dominance has had the unintended but severe consequence of disenfranchising generations of non-white acting talent.

The Guardian

Not only the fact that a Baltimore nobody could take out one of the Greek's top men, but also Ziggy's personal transformation from an immature object of ridicule to a person of (rather severe) consequence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

All severe consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

That would have very severe consequences for financial stability.

The Guardian

Abolishing the estate tax would have severe consequences.

The New York Times

Such jumps are known to occur, sometimes with severe consequences.

The New York Times

If this impression takes root, it could have severe consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe consequence", ensure the context clearly establishes the action or event leading to the consequence, enhancing clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "severe consequence" to describe trivial or minor outcomes; reserve it for situations where the results are genuinely serious and impactful. Using it inappropriately dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe consequence" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a significant negative outcome or result. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. Examples show it being used to describe results in science, news and media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe consequence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the serious negative outcome of actions or events. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When crafting your writing, make sure you apply "severe consequence" when the results are indeed very impactful. You can also consider the related phrases like "grave outcome", "serious repercussions", or "dire ramifications", that could eventually fit better your writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harsh consequences

Replaces "severe" with "harsh", focusing on the unpleasant and difficult nature of the results.

grave outcome

Replaces "consequence" with "outcome" and "severe" with "grave", highlighting the serious nature of the result.

serious repercussions

Substitutes "consequence" with "repercussions" and "severe" with "serious", emphasizing the wide-ranging and impactful effects.

dire ramifications

Replaces "consequence" with "ramifications" and "severe" with "dire", suggesting extremely negative and far-reaching implications.

significant implications

Replaces "consequence" with "implications" and "severe" with "significant", highlighting the important and far-reaching effects.

critical aftermath

Replaces "consequence" with "aftermath" and "severe" with "critical", focusing on the crucial period following an event and its significant results.

major fallout

Substitutes "consequence" with "fallout" and "severe" with "major", emphasizing the negative and widespread effects of an action or event.

damaging outcome

Replaces "consequence" with "outcome" and "severe" with "damaging", highlighting the harm caused by the result.

profound effect

Replaces "consequence" with "effect" and "severe" with "profound", suggesting a deep and substantial impact.

terrible result

Substitutes "consequence" with "result" and "severe" with "terrible", emphasizing the extremely negative nature of the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "severe consequence" to describe the serious result of an action or decision. For example: "Ignoring safety regulations can lead to a "severe consequence"."

What are some alternatives to "severe consequence"?

Alternatives include "grave outcome", "serious repercussions", or "dire ramifications", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "severe consequence"?

No, "severe consequence" should be reserved for situations where the outcome is genuinely serious and impactful. Using it for trivial matters can diminish its effectiveness.

What is the difference between "severe consequence" and "serious implication"?

"Severe consequence" refers to a direct and significant negative result, while "serious implication" suggests a more indirect or potential impact that needs further evaluation.