they are consequential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are consequential" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the significance or impact of certain actions, events, or decisions. For example: "The changes in policy are consequential for the future of the organization." Alternative expressions include "they are significant" and "they are impactful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We don't think they are consequential," he added.

The New York Times

Whatever your views of the merits of these actions, they are consequential.

The Washington Post

Other conditions may also contribute to what it is to be a judgment of taste, but they are consequential on, or predicated on, the two fundamental conditions.

SEP

Sometimes turf fights are only that; but sometimes they are consequential.

Huffington Post

"Routine traffic stops are not only common, they are consequential, each an opportunity to build or erode public trust in the police," the study's researchers, who were led by a Stanford University linguistics doctoral student, wrote.

Vice

Indeed, the more they are pilloried, the higher their stock among the faithful because it shows to their faithful that they are consequential people; and, if you are consequential, what you are saying must have merit, mustn't it?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

With a few exceptions, they were consequential men.

The New Yorker

And one may even argue that within the 2008 presidential campaign, numerous racialized instances were not even intentional despite the fact that they were consequential to Senator Obama.

Huffington Post

For millions of people in the US, (and billions more around the globe who can only watch from the sidelines) answers to these questions are consequential – they will underpin judgments about whether to place trust in Trump and vote for him, or not.

The Guardian

These distinctions are consequential.

The Washington Post

All Presidents are consequential, but some are more consequential than others.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase works best in analytical writing, such as political commentary or scientific discussions, where causality and importance are linked.

Common error

Avoid using "consequential" when you simply mean that something follows as a result (which is "consequent"). While related, "consequential" carries the specific meaning of being important or significant, whereas "consequent" merely describes a sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are consequential" acts as a predicate adjective construction. According to Ludwig, it is used to assign the quality of significance or importance to a plural subject. The verb "are" serves as a copula connecting the pronoun "they" to the evaluative adjective "consequential".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they are consequential" is a sophisticated way to denote significance and impact. Based on the data provided by Ludwig, the expression is most frequently found in high-authority journalistic and academic sources, ranging from The New York Times to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. It is grammatically sound and serves a clear purpose: to signal that the subject at hand is not merely a passing detail but something that carries weight and will lead to meaningful outcomes. While it is categorized as "Uncommon", its presence in elite publications makes it an excellent choice for writers looking to add an air of analytical precision to their work. Users should be careful to distinguish it from the purely sequential "consequent", as Ludwig AI highlights that "consequential" specifically implies importance. Overall, it is a robust, formal tool for emphasizing that certain factors, decisions or people truly matter in the broader scheme of things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are significant

Most direct synonym for general importance.

they are impactful

Focuses more on the effect or change produced.

they are momentous

Suggests a higher degree of historical or long-term gravity.

they carry weight

Idiomatic expression indicating influence or authority.

they have repercussions

Shifts the focus to the subsequent consequences.

they are substantial

Implies a large or considerable size or importance.

they are of note

Slightly more formal but less intense version of significant.

they matter greatly

Uses a verb structure for more emphasis on relevance.

they are influential

Specifically refers to the power to change things or people.

they are of great import

Very formal and slightly archaic construction for high gravity.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "they are consequential"?

It means the subjects being discussed are important, significant or have the power to cause a major effect. You could use "they are significant" as a near-perfect synonym.

Is "they are consequential" too formal for an email?

It is a neutral to formal phrase. In a professional context, it is perfectly appropriate, though in a casual setting you might prefer "they matter" or "they are important".

Can I use "they are consequential" to describe people?

Yes, it is often used to describe influential figures. For instance, The New Yorker uses the phrase to describe "consequential men", meaning men who had a significant impact on history or policy.

What is the difference between "consequential" and "impactful"?

While similar, "impactful" is often considered slightly more informal or "buzzwordy". "Consequential" implies a logical gravity or a chain of effects that follow from the subject.