severe consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a result that is particularly severe, such as punishment or potential legal action. For example, "If you fail to comply with the law, you may suffer severe consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 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

He added: "It's such severe consequences for him.

The Guardian

The instability and chaos can have severe consequences on Jordan".

The New York Times

Thus, their loss can have severe consequences for cells.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In reality, however, they face far more severe consequences.

The Economist

A conviction for "terrorism" would have severe consequences for free movement across international borders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nicholas, MacBride said, "Armed attacks on U.S.-flagged vessels carry severe consequences in U.S. courts".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe consequences", ensure the context clearly establishes what actions or situations lead to these consequences to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "severe consequences" in situations where the outcomes are only mildly negative or inconvenient. Overstating the severity can diminish the phrase's impact when genuinely serious outcomes are at stake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe consequences" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the result of a particular action or situation, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe consequences" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe significantly negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using "severe consequences", it's crucial to provide clear context and avoid overuse in situations where the outcomes are only mildly negative. Alternatives like "dire outcomes", "serious repercussions", and "grave implications" can offer nuanced expressions of similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dire outcomes

This alternative emphasizes the negative and calamitous nature of the results.

serious repercussions

This alternative focuses on the broad and often indirect effects that follow an action or event.

grave implications

This alternative highlights the weighty and far-reaching nature of the potential results.

major ramifications

This alternative suggests a complex web of interconnected and significant effects.

critical aftermath

This alternative underscores the importance and sensitivity of the period following an event.

substantial penalties

This alternative specifically denotes legal or disciplinary punishments that are significant in scope.

harsh penalties

This alternative emphasizes the strictness and severity of the imposed punishments.

catastrophic results

This alternative stresses the disastrous and devastating nature of the outcomes.

negative impacts

This alternative is broader and encompasses any adverse effects, not necessarily as extreme as "severe consequences".

undesirable outcomes

This alternative is a more general term for results that are not wanted or preferred, lacking the intensity of "severe consequences".

FAQs

How to use "severe consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "severe consequences" to describe the serious negative results of an action or decision. For example, "Failure to comply with these regulations may lead to "severe consequences"".

What are some alternatives to "severe consequences"?

Alternatives to "severe consequences" include "dire outcomes", "serious repercussions", or "grave implications" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "severe consequences" and "negative impacts"?

"Severe consequences" implies a high degree of seriousness and negativity, whereas "negative impacts" is a more general term that encompasses a broader range of adverse effects, not necessarily extreme.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "severe consequences"?

The phrase "severe consequences" is best used in situations where the potential results are particularly damaging, harmful, or have long-lasting negative effects, such as in legal, medical, or ethical contexts.