suffer the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffer the consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has done something wrong and will have to face the negative results of their actions. For example, "If you don't study for the test, you'll have to suffer the consequences of a failing grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now we suffer the consequences".

The New York Times - Sports

Financially, they suffer the consequences.

The New York Times - Health

Sometimes you have to suffer the consequences.

The New York Times

Pay the man or suffer the consequences.

The New York Times - Sports

If you stop you suffer the consequences".

Independent

"Strike a pose or suffer the consequences".

The New York Times

I would suffer the consequences!

The New York Times - Magazine

We all suffer the consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

They suffer the consequences of their mistakes.

The New York Times

"They will suffer the consequences of untreated obesity".

The New York Times

But too often, police say, the neighbors suffer the consequences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffer the consequences", ensure the connection between the action and the resulting negative outcome is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "suffer the consequences of their actions".

Common error

Avoid incorrectly assigning consequences to the wrong actions. Ensure the consequences directly relate to the specific behavior or decision you are referencing. Otherwise, it will create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer the consequences" functions as a predicative expression, typically following a subject and auxiliary verb (e.g., will, must, have to). It indicates that someone will experience negative outcomes or penalties as a result of their actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffer the consequences" is a common expression used to describe experiencing negative results as a direct outcome of one's actions. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to warn, predict, or state a necessary outcome, highlighting the relationship between actions and their negative repercussions. Alternative phrases such as "face the music" or "pay the price" offer similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure a clear connection between the action and the resulting negative outcome to prevent misattribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay the price

This phrase implies that one must endure hardship or loss due to a previous action or decision.

endure the repercussions

This highlights the endurance of the negative effects following an action.

be held accountable

This indicates being responsible and facing the results of one's actions.

face the music

This idiom suggests accepting punishment or criticism for one's actions.

take the hit

This implies absorbing a negative impact or loss.

reap what you sow

This idiom refers to experiencing the results of one's actions, whether good or bad.

accept the outcome

This suggests acknowledging and dealing with the results of a situation or decision.

bear the brunt

This suggests enduring the worst part of a negative experience or outcome.

swallow the pill

This idiom means to accept something unpleasant or difficult.

meet with retribution

This phrase suggests facing punishment or revenge for one's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "suffer the consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "suffer the consequences" to indicate that someone will experience negative results due to their actions. For example, "If you break the law, you will "suffer the consequences"".

What are some alternatives to "suffer the consequences"?

Alternatives include "face the music", "pay the price", or "bear the brunt", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "suffer the consequences" or "face the consequences"?

"Suffer the consequences" and "face the consequences" are similar, but "suffer the consequences" emphasizes the negative experience, while "face the consequences" focuses on accepting responsibility.

What is the difference between "suffer the consequences" and "accept the consequences"?

"Suffer the consequences" implies enduring hardship as a result of actions, whereas "accept the consequences" suggests acknowledging and taking responsibility for the results without necessarily enduring hardship. The first one is more about living with the results, the second is more about admitting them.