unintended consequence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unintended consequence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that was not anticipated or intended as a result of an action or decision. Example: "The new policy aimed at reducing waste had an unintended consequence of increasing costs for small businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Interesting unintended consequence, potentially.

The Guardian

Unintended consequence: Googling "Santorum".

The Guardian - Opinion

This is an unintended consequence.

The New York Times - Magazine

And that's an unintended consequence".

The Guardian - Film

The act had an unintended consequence.

The New York Times

The name change had an unintended consequence.

The New York Times

Purple Rain had another, unintended consequence.

The Guardian - Music

So what about this unintended consequence?

The Guardian - Books

But there was a second, unintended, consequence.

The New York Times

"That's an unintended consequence of retransmission".

The New York Times

The insult had the unintended consequence of stiffening his resolve.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unintended consequence" to add nuance to your writing, showing a deeper understanding of cause and effect. It indicates that actions, even with good intentions, can have unforeseen impacts.

Common error

Avoid using "unintended consequence" without clearly linking it to the initial action or decision. Without this connection, the phrase loses its meaning and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unintended consequence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an outcome that was not the primary goal or expectation of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unintended consequence" is a versatile and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, for describing outcomes that diverge from initial plans. It acts as a noun phrase within sentences, often prompting analysis of cause-and-effect relationships. While commonly found in news and media outlets, it maintains a neutral register appropriate for business and academic discussions. By understanding its meaning and appropriate usage, writers can effectively convey the complexities inherent in actions and decisions. Considering alternatives such as "unforeseen outcome" can provide variety and nuance to writing, while remembering to clearly connect the consequence to the action maintains clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen outcome

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation more strongly.

unanticipated result

Highlights the unexpected nature of the result.

unexpected side effect

Suggests a secondary and less desirable outcome.

collateral effect

Implies an indirect and often negative impact.

incidental outcome

Focuses on the unplanned and coincidental nature.

byproduct

Suggests that the consequence is a natural result of the process.

ripple effect

Highlights the spreading and indirect nature of the consequence.

knock-on effect

Focuses on a chain reaction of consequences.

downstream effect

Emphasizes the later stage at which the consequence is felt.

secondary consequence

Highlights that the consequence is not primary or intended.

FAQs

What does "unintended consequence" mean?

The phrase "unintended consequence" refers to an outcome that was not planned or predicted when an action was taken. It's often used to describe negative or undesirable results, but it can also refer to positive surprises.

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

You can use "unintended consequence" to describe how a particular action led to an unforeseen result. For example: "The new policy aimed at reducing traffic had the "unintended consequence" of increasing congestion in residential areas."

What are some alternatives to "unintended consequence"?

Some alternatives to "unintended consequence" include "unforeseen outcome", "unanticipated result", or "unexpected side effect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when referring to an "unintended consequence"?

While often used in the context of negative or undesirable outcomes, an "unintended consequence" can also be positive. The phrase simply means the outcome was not the one initially intended or predicted, regardless of its value.