unpredictable outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unpredictable outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing results or consequences that cannot be anticipated or foreseen. Example: "The experiment yielded an unpredictable outcome, leaving the researchers surprised by the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Such an intervention would precipitate a political crisis with an unpredictable outcome.

The New Yorker

Twists, turns, an unpredictable outcome – everything the genre is supposed to deliver and rarely does.

The Guardian - Books

Adult-Onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare condition of unknown origin with various presentations and unpredictable outcome.

La Revue de Médecine Interne

Nothing fuels election fever like an unpredictable outcome, and there's never been such an uncertain contest here.

The New York Times

As if to guarantee an unpredictable outcome, there is a potential third-party spoiler: Joseph Zdonczyk of the conservative Concerned Citizens Party.

The New York Times

Science is not the exclusive domain of practising scientists, but anyone who undertakes it must dedicate their patience and resources to an unpredictable outcome.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The novel is a chess game of slow-burn erotic maneuvers that produce tantalizingly unpredictable outcomes.

The New York Times

And the unanticipated shift is creating unusual alliances and unpredictable outcomes.

The New York Times

The result would be a massive accumulation of sullen anger across Europe, with unpredictable outcomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

She sets aside a budget for new programs that intentionally have unpredictable outcomes.

The New York Times

It is likely that Mrs May's measures will be tested in court, with unpredictable outcomes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unpredictable outcome", consider the context. Is it truly impossible to foresee any potential results, or is it simply that the specific result is unknown within a range of possibilities?

Common error

Avoid using "unpredictable outcome" when some level of prediction is possible. Instead of saying "the surgery had an unpredictable outcome", when survival rates are known, a more accurate statement might be "the surgery's success was uncertain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unpredictable outcome" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "unpredictable" modifies the noun "outcome". Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, indicating its role in describing uncertain or unforeseen results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unpredictable outcome" is a widely used phrase to describe situations where the results are uncertain or impossible to foresee. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives like ""uncertain result"" and ""unexpected consequence"" exist, "unpredictable outcome" remains a common and effective way to express a lack of predictability. When using this phrase, it is important to consider whether some level of prediction is possible, and to avoid overstating the unpredictability of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpredictable result

Slightly different word order but conveys the same meaning.

uncertain result

Focuses on the lack of certainty in the result.

unexpected consequence

Highlights the surprise element of the consequence.

unforeseeable result

Emphasizes the inability to predict the outcome.

unanticipated consequence

Similar to 'unexpected consequence' but may imply a lack of preparation.

chance event

Indicates the outcome is largely due to randomness.

fortuitous result

Suggests the outcome is positive and occurred by chance.

random effect

Emphasizes the randomness of the effect, often in scientific contexts.

unplanned consequence

Highlights that the consequence was not part of the original plan.

uncertain future

Shifts focus from a single outcome to a broader perspective of uncertainty about the future.

FAQs

How can I use "unpredictable outcome" in a sentence?

You can use "unpredictable outcome" to describe situations where the result is uncertain or cannot be foreseen. For example, "The experiment had an unpredictable outcome, surprising the researchers."

What are some alternatives to "unpredictable outcome"?

Alternatives include "uncertain result", "unexpected consequence", or "unforeseeable result", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unpredictable result" or "unpredictable outcome"?

"Unpredictable result" and "unpredictable outcome" are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, but both are grammatically correct and widely used.

What causes an "unpredictable outcome"?

An "unpredictable outcome" can result from numerous factors, including complex systems, incomplete information, or random chance. These factors make it difficult or impossible to accurately forecast the result.