undesirable consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undesirable consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to outcomes of a particular action or decision that are negative in nature. For example: "The government's decision to slash public spending would have undesirable consequences for many families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The episode had "highly undesirable consequences for the intelligence community".

The Guardian

Does happiness, whether desirable or not in itself, lead to undesirable consequences?

The New York Times - Magazine

Succumbing to lust beyond the pages of cookbooks and magazines can have undesirable consequences.

The New York Times

Presidential authority also benefits from France's relatively weak and often fawning media.This has several undesirable consequences.

The Economist

"We urge the government to think again about this policy and its unintended and undesirable consequences," the letter continues.

The Guardian

But to hear the police and school officials tell it, instant messaging can also have undesirable consequences.

The New York Times

Changes in one part of the system have became extremely difficult because they often have undesirable consequences in another.

The Economist

This has highly undesirable consequences for the children, particularly boys, who grow up without male role models.

The Economist

A new candidate, while praising President Bush personally, will acknowledge certain undesirable consequences (always unexpected and unavoidable) and argue that it is time to move on.

The New York Times

Others argue that without a just transition to low-carbon societies, public support will inevitably turn to disaffection, with undesirable consequences.

The Guardian

There will need to be clear rules to ensure that the ringfencing works in practice and does not have other undesirable consequences.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the potential impact of decisions, use "undesirable consequences" to clearly communicate the negative outcomes that might arise. For example, "Ignoring safety protocols can lead to "undesirable consequences" in the workplace."

Common error

While versatile, "undesirable consequences" can sometimes sound simplistic in highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise synonyms like "detrimental repercussions" or "adverse outcomes" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undesirable consequences" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and effective for describing negative outcomes. It commonly appears in discussions about risks, policy implications, and potential drawbacks of various actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undesirable consequences" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe negative outcomes. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing, it's effective for conveying caution or concern about potential downsides. While versatile, consider using more precise synonyms in formal writing to avoid sounding simplistic. Be mindful of whether the consequences were foreseen or unforeseen, and choose your wording accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative repercussions

Replaces "consequences" with "repercussions", suggesting a more indirect or far-reaching effect; "negative" maintains the adverse tone.

adverse outcomes

Uses "outcomes" instead of "consequences", implying a result or effect with a negative connotation through "adverse".

unfavorable results

Substitutes "consequences" with "results" for a more general term, and "undesirable" with "unfavorable" to indicate a lack of positive qualities.

detrimental effects

Emphasizes the damaging nature of the consequences by using "detrimental" and replaces "consequences" with "effects".

unwanted side effects

Highlights the unintended and negative nature of the consequences, often used in medical or technical contexts.

ill effects

A shorter, more direct way to express negative consequences, emphasizing the harmful impact.

damaging outcomes

Focuses on the harm caused by the consequences, using "damaging" to intensify the negative impact and replace consequences with outcomes.

unfortunate fallout

Implies consequences that are the result of a specific event or situation, suggesting a sense of misfortune.

unpalatable results

Replaces "consequences" with "results" and "undesirable" with "unpalatable", which denotes something unpleasant or unacceptable.

regrettable outcomes

Emphasizes that the consequences are a source of regret, using "regrettable" to convey a sense of disappointment or remorse.

FAQs

How can I use "undesirable consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "undesirable consequences" to describe the negative results of a specific action or decision. For instance, "The lack of funding for education can lead to "undesirable consequences" for future generations."

What are some alternatives to "undesirable consequences"?

You can use alternatives like "negative repercussions", "adverse outcomes", or "detrimental effects", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "undesirable consequences" and "unintended consequences"?

"Undesirable consequences" are negative outcomes that are potentially foreseen, whereas "unintended consequences" are negative outcomes that were not anticipated.

What is a more formal way of saying "undesirable consequences"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "adverse ramifications", "detrimental effects", or "deleterious outcomes" to convey a more sophisticated tone.