unexpected outcomes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected outcomes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to results or consequences that were not anticipated or foreseen in a particular situation or analysis. Example: "The experiment yielded several unexpected outcomes that prompted further investigation into the underlying variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ROBERT MARK KAMEN is used to unexpected outcomes.

The New York Times - Food

Indonesia's political development has had other unexpected outcomes.

The New Yorker

Different sections have titles like "Overcoming Obstacles," "Unexpected Outcomes" and "Innovation Process".

The New York Times - Arts

Code, for all its potential beauty, has to work; fiction thrives on unexpected outcomes, even on failure.

The New Yorker

The unexpected outcomes have created greater interest in the playoffs, at least initially, and have perhaps helped support Selig's desire.

The New York Times - Sports

Technology implementations are prone to failures and unexpected outcomes, even after going through rigorous testing.

The New York Times

Some problems will be out of bounds for fear of producing something that might either use materials, produce waste or have unexpected outcomes.

The Guardian - Arts

After this first upset, the rest of Saturday's games featured the surprising lead changes, dramatic finishes and unexpected outcomes that populated the schedule on Thursday and Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

Their reports seem comprehensive but reveal a concatenation of unexpected outcomes — infidelities out of which true loves grow, murders that bring about births.

The New Yorker

And they say Senator John McCain's decisive victory today opens the field to any number of unexpected outcomes in the future.

The New York Times

The unexpected outcomes were likely because of heavy turnout by rural whites, prompted by a Confederate flag dispute, not faulty voting machines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unexpected outcomes", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial expectations or plans against which the outcomes are considered unexpected. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid framing "unexpected outcomes" solely as negative. While often implying challenges, they can also represent opportunities, serendipitous discoveries, or novel insights. Acknowledge the potential for positive or neutral "unexpected outcomes" to maintain a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected outcomes" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes results or consequences that were not predicted or anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with multiple examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

64%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unexpected outcomes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe results that differ from initial expectations. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its frequent appearance across diverse fields like news, science, and business. While often implying unforeseen challenges, "unexpected outcomes" can also highlight opportunities or novel insights. To ensure clarity, contextualize the phrase by referencing original expectations. Be aware of potential misinterpretations that "unexpected outcomes" are exclusively negative. Consider using alternative phrases like "unforeseen consequences" or "surprising results" to best fit the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen consequences

Focuses more on the result being a consequence, and not just an outcome, that was not foreseen.

surprising results

Highlights the element of surprise in the results obtained.

unanticipated consequences

Similar to "unforeseen consequences", but emphasizes the lack of anticipation.

unpredicted results

Emphasizes that the results were not predicted beforehand.

unforeseen results

Highlights that the results were not seen or anticipated beforehand.

unintended effects

Focuses on the effects rather than general outcomes, specifying they were not intended.

serendipitous discoveries

Specifically refers to positive, accidental discoveries.

chance findings

Highlights the role of chance in obtaining the findings.

emergent behaviors

Used when referring to complex systems where interactions lead to novel outcomes not initially programmed.

unplanned events

Focuses on the event itself being unplanned, leading to certain outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpected outcomes" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpected outcomes" to describe results that were not predicted or anticipated, such as: "The experiment yielded several "unexpected outcomes" that required further analysis".

What are some alternatives to saying "unexpected outcomes"?

Alternatives include "unforeseen consequences", "surprising results", or "unanticipated consequences", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Are "unexpected outcomes" always negative?

No, "unexpected outcomes" are not always negative. They simply indicate that the results were different from what was initially predicted or hoped for. They can be positive, negative, or neutral. A related alternative phrase is "serendipitous discoveries" which indicates an accidental, fortunate discovery.

What's the difference between "unexpected outcomes" and "unintended effects"?

"Unexpected outcomes" is a broader term referring to any result that was not predicted. "Unintended effects", on the other hand, specifically refers to effects or impacts that were not the intended goal or purpose of an action or plan.