unforeseen result

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen result" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that was not anticipated or expected in a particular situation or process. Example: "The experiment yielded an unforeseen result that challenged our initial hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The decline of the board was an unforeseen result when the system was decentralized in 1969.

The New York Times

Mr. Cloninger said that from an artistic angle, the stir over the obituaries was "an unintended but not unforeseen result of something I put in motion".

The New York Times

Ms. Peretz said the lack of competition was partly the result of market forces, but also an unforeseen result of the system established by the state legislators.

The New York Times

Furthermore, there was a growing imbalance between the careers preferred by general-school graduates and the national economic requirements for skilled manpower an unforeseen result of the policy of universal secondary education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

AL QAEDA -- The ousting of the terror organization's leaders from Afghanistan and the disruption of many of the group's financial networks has had an unforeseen result, according to senior U.S. government officials: at least seven mid-level operatives have stepped up to fill the gaps left by their leaders, some of them dead, perhaps many more in hiding.

The New York Times

When we moved to an inquiry-based laboratory framework to improve pedagogy, an unfortunate and unforeseen result was the loss of much of our study of biodiversity.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The combination of the two produced unforeseen results.

The Economist

The authors found unforeseen results for the Google ad network they studied.

University of California, Berkeley

One of the many unforeseen results of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption was to highlight how precarious our food supply is.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The fact that these deviations could occur is not spotted during the design stage, and they have unfortunate unforeseen results.

What Went Wrong? Case Histories of Process Plant Disasters and How They Could Hare Been Avoided

Man's painting has developed from the crude outlines of the cavemen until in line and color we have achieved unforeseen results and possess latent beauties yet unfolded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing planning or strategy, use "unforeseen result" to acknowledge that not all outcomes can be predicted, indicating a realistic approach to complex situations.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen result" when you mean "unfortunate result". "Unforeseen" means not predicted, while "unfortunate" means undesirable. An outcome can be both, but they are distinct qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen result" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an outcome or consequence that was not anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unforeseen result" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression across diverse writing contexts. Ludwig AI validates this. It serves to describe an outcome that was not predicted or anticipated, often implying a need for analysis or adjustment. Its neutrality lends itself well to academic, news, and general usage, while related alternatives like ""unexpected outcome"" and ""unanticipated consequence"" can provide nuanced alternatives. Remember to distinguish it from "unfortunate result" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen development

Similar to "unforeseen result" but emphasizes on the unfolding of events.

unexpected outcome

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation in the outcome.

unanticipated consequence

Highlights the consequential nature of the event that was not anticipated.

unprojected consequence

Like "unanticipated consequence", it focuses on the consequential nature of the unprojected event.

unpredicted effect

Focuses on the impact of the result, rather than the result itself, and its lack of prediction.

surprise development

Stresses the element of surprise associated with the unfolding of events.

uncalculated outcome

Highlights the lack of planning or calculation involved.

unintended effect

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the result.

chance outcome

Emphasizes the role of chance or randomness.

serendipitous result

Implies that the result was a fortunate accident.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen result" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen result" to describe an outcome that was not anticipated or predicted. For example, "The new policy had an "unforeseen result" of increasing employee turnover."

What are some alternatives to "unforeseen result"?

Alternatives to "unforeseen result" include "unexpected outcome", "unanticipated consequence", or "surprise development", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "unforeseen result" and "unintended consequence"?

"Unforeseen result" simply means the outcome was not predicted. "Unintended consequence" implies the outcome was not part of the plan or goal, but it might have been predicted. They are often interchangeable, but not always.

What is the difference between "unforeseen result" and "unfortunate result"?

"Unforeseen result" refers to an outcome that was not predicted, while "unfortunate result" describes an undesirable outcome. An unforeseen result can also be unfortunate, but the terms describe different qualities.