tough consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or severe outcome resulting from a particular action or decision. Example: "Failing to meet the deadline will result in a tough consequence for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"My personal view is that the research playing field is global, not national, and the tough consequence is that training at this very top level can't be delivered by all universities," she says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Failure would incur tough consequences.

The Guardian

That has had tough consequences for Lower Manhattan, where rents remain $20 a square foot lower than in the rest of the city.

The New York Times

He said: "Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal and, as HMRC's record shows, if employers break the law they will face tough consequences.

The Guardian

But lawmakers believe it was tough sanctions pushed by Congress – not the White House – that brought Tehran to the table and see no reason not to spell out tough consequences if Iran does not comply with the interim deal.

The Guardian

A hard focus on both these issues -- crime and welfare -- reflected a specific ideology that permeated other parts of Mr. Giuliani's mayoralty, one that focused on personal responsibility and tough consequences for social deviance.

The New York Times

So though I might give tough guidelines, and tough consequences if you don't meet these projects, it's not because I am a difficult man; it's because I care about you and care about your people, and I care that when I leave, that the progress continues here".

The Guardian

Obama also used the speech as an opportunity to drive home his demand for a strong UN security council resolution on Syria that would require the Assad regime to submit its chemical weapons supplies to international control or face tough consequences.

The Guardian

Those taking part will be expected to turn up for work, as well as looking for a full-time job and complete training, or face "tough consequences" - including possible benefit sanctions.

BBC

"My call to world leaders attending this conference is to ensure that rape is named a war crime with tough consequences so that no other vulnerable person is attacked the way we were during the war".

BBC

Maybe once they know not only that their actions are illegal but that other fine young people like themselves have felt some tough consequences, the dangerous craziness will finally sputter to a halt.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough consequence" when you want to emphasize the severity and difficulty of a particular outcome, ensuring the reader understands the seriousness of the situation.

Common error

While "tough consequence" is acceptable, overuse of the word "tough" might make your writing sound less professional. In formal documents, consider replacing "tough" with synonyms like "severe", "harsh", or "stringent" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough consequence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "consequence". It describes a specific type of outcome or result, indicating that it is severe, difficult, or unpleasant. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is accurate and well-formed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tough consequence" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, denoting a severe and challenging outcome. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it finds usage across various contexts, particularly in news, formal business settings, and scientific discussions. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to consider the context and audience, ensuring that the level of formality aligns with the intended message. Alternatives like "severe repercussion" or "harsh outcome" may offer a more refined tone in certain situations. This thorough analysis provides writers with guidance on the proper usage and potential pitfalls associated with the phrase "tough consequence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe repercussion

Replaces "tough" with "severe" implying a greater degree of harshness.

harsh outcome

Substitutes "tough" with "harsh", emphasizing the unpleasant nature of the result.

grave result

Replaces "tough" with "grave", suggesting a serious and significant consequence.

serious implication

Replaces "consequence" with "implication", focusing on the potential effects.

dire ramification

Emphasizes the extremely negative and far-reaching nature of the consequence.

unpleasant aftermath

Focuses on the negative situation or period following an event or action.

adverse effect

Replaces "consequence" with a more general term for a negative result.

critical fallout

Highlights the potentially damaging and widespread impact of the consequence.

significant penalty

Highlights the punitive aspect of the consequence.

challenging outcome

Uses "challenging" to soften "tough" while retaining the sense of difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough consequence" to describe a severe outcome resulting from a particular action or decision. For example: "Failing to meet the deadline will result in a "tough consequence" for the entire team".

What can I say instead of "tough consequence"?

You can use alternatives like "severe repercussion", "harsh outcome", or "grave result" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tough consequence" or "difficult consequence"?

"Tough consequence" and "difficult consequence" are both grammatically correct, but ""tough consequence"" implies a more severe and less easily handled outcome than "difficult consequence".

What's the difference between "tough consequence" and "serious consequence"?

While both suggest a negative outcome, ""tough consequence"" emphasizes the difficulty in dealing with the outcome, whereas "serious consequence" highlights the gravity or significance of the result.