undefined consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

"undefined consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unknown outcome or result, whether it is negative or positive. For example, "The decision to launch this new product could have an undefined consequence on our profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The concern of many in Europe is that the flowering stage of GM plants in close proximity to other (especially related) species might lead to interbreeding and DNA recombination, with as yet undefined consequences.

Forbes

Every other proposal requires a lot more resources with, at best, undefined consequences.

Huffington Post

Ap Bac had many as yet undefined consequences for the South Vietnamese government and the American involvement in Vietnam.

Wikipedia

Consequence: undefined information flow and lower engagement in the community, as a consequence of members' detachment.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The consequences are undefined if the result of applying function to the successive elements of the sequences cannot be contained in a sequence of the type given by result-type.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Every symbol has a name, and the consequences are undefined if that name is altered.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The consequences are undefined if an attempt is made to alter the home package of a symbol external in the COMMON-LISP package or the KEYWORD package.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The consequences are undefined if an attempt is made to change the functional value of a symbol that names a special form.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That is, the consequences are undefined if any of the arguments are not of the specified types or the result is not of the specified type.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

error n. 1. (only in the phrase ''is an error") a situation in which the semantics of a program are not specified, and in which the consequences are undefined.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The consequences are undefined if a symbol is used as a function designator but it does not have a global definition as a function, or it has a global definition as a macro or a special form.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undefined consequence" when you want to highlight the uncertainty surrounding the result of an action or event. It suggests that the outcome is not only unknown but potentially unknowable at the present time.

Common error

While "consequence" can sometimes imply a negative outcome, remember that "undefined consequence" simply means the result is unknown. Avoid using it exclusively in negative contexts to maintain accuracy and neutrality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undefined consequence" functions as a noun phrase, where "undefined" acts as an adjective describing the nature of the "consequence". It refers to a result or outcome whose characteristics or impact are not yet known or determined.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undefined consequence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an outcome or result that is currently unknown or not yet determined. While Ludwig shows no direct examples of the phrase, Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase serves to express uncertainty and can be applied across various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. When using "undefined consequence", it's important to consider the potential for misinterpretation, as "consequence" sometimes carries a negative connotation, even though "undefined consequence" simply denotes a lack of knowledge about the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consequence not yet defined

Emphasizes that the definition or understanding of the result is incomplete.

unknown outcome

Focuses on the lack of knowledge about the result, removing the implication of a cause-and-effect relationship.

outcome lacking definition

The emphasis is on the lack of a clear and specific characterization of the result.

unforeseen result

Highlights the unexpected nature of the outcome, suggesting it was not planned or anticipated.

unpredictable effect

Emphasizes the inability to foresee the impact or change caused by something.

uncertain repercussions

Specifically refers to the potential negative effects that are not yet known or determined.

unclear ramifications

Similar to repercussions, but suggests a wider range of potential consequences that are not easily defined.

imponderable consequence

Implies that the consequences are not only unknown but also difficult or impossible to assess.

unascertainable outcome

Highlights the difficulty in determining or finding out the result.

indeterminate result

Focuses on the result being not fixed or definite.

FAQs

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

You can use "undefined consequence" to describe a situation where the outcome is not yet known or predictable. For example, "The long-term effects of the policy change remain an "undefined consequence"".

What are some alternatives to "undefined consequence"?

Some alternatives include "unknown outcome", "unforeseen result", or "unpredictable effect". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "undefined consequence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "undefined consequence" is grammatically correct. "Undefined" is an adjective modifying the noun "consequence".

What's the difference between "undefined consequence" and "unintended consequence"?

"Undefined consequence" means the result is simply not yet known. "Unintended consequence" refers to a result that was not planned or expected, which often carries a negative connotation.