unwanted side effects

USAGE SUMMARY

'unwanted side effects' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to negative or unintended outcomes of a particular action, treatment, or medication. Here are a few examples of how it can be used: - "The new medication has been effective in treating the symptoms, but it also has some unwanted side effects such as nausea and fatigue." - "Although the procedure is generally safe, there is a risk of unwanted side effects such as bleeding and infection." - "The company's new product promises to enhance productivity, but it has caused some employees to experience unwanted side effects such as headaches and dizziness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pharmacological treatment is often effective but associated with unwanted side effects.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Meanwhile, China fever may have two unwanted side effects.

The New York Times

But it has had some unwanted side effects.

The New York Times - Health

But all drugs, even the mildest over-the-counter medications, have unwanted side effects.

The New York Times

That selectivity, he said, might be crucial in modafinil's lack of unwanted side effects.

The New York Times - Health

And that could mean that a drug based on these snippets would have unwanted side effects.

The New York Times - Science

Almost every treatment has some degree of risk, from either unwanted side effects or unexpected complications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The drugs can have unwanted side effects; they will cost you money, often a lot of money.

The New Yorker

Also, many children and adolescents will double and triple the dose of the supplement, causing unwanted side effects.

The New York Times

To add to the intrigue, the women using a placebo often report testosterone's unwanted side effects: facial hair; acne.

The New York Times - Magazine

The combination of drugs used by the Chinese apparently led to a high rate of unwanted side effects, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical treatments, always specify the "unwanted side effects" if known, to provide complete and transparent information.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a treatment has "unwanted side effects" without providing specifics. This can be uninformative and alarming. Instead, detail the particular side effects a reader should be aware of.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unwanted side effects" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig indicates that it is used to describe negative or unintended consequences, often in the context of medical treatments or interventions. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unwanted side effects" is a noun phrase used to describe negative or unintended consequences. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias. It functions to inform about potential negative outcomes and the register is mostly formal, varying with the source. When using this phrase, specify particular effects to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adverse reactions

Focuses specifically on harmful or unfavorable responses, typically in a medical context.

negative consequences

Broadly describes unfavorable results or outcomes, applicable in various situations.

undesirable outcomes

Highlights the lack of preference for the results, implying dissatisfaction.

unintended consequences

Emphasizes the lack of planning or anticipation for the results.

detrimental effects

Stresses the damaging or harmful impact of the consequences.

harmful repercussions

Highlights the damaging and far-reaching impact of the consequences.

unforeseen complications

Stresses the unexpected and problematic nature of the results.

negative externalities

Focuses on costs that are not reflected in the price, often used in economics.

drawbacks

Simple, direct term for disadvantages or negative aspects.

setbacks

Focuses on delays or impediments caused by the negative results.

FAQs

How can I use "unwanted side effects" in a sentence?

You can use "unwanted side effects" to describe negative consequences of a treatment, action, or situation. For example: "The medication is effective, but it has some "unwanted side effects"."

What are some alternatives to "unwanted side effects"?

Alternatives include "adverse reactions", "negative consequences", or "undesirable outcomes", depending on the context.

Are "unwanted side effects" and "side effects" the same?

"Side effects" can be neutral or even positive, while "unwanted side effects" specifically refers to negative or undesirable outcomes. Therefore, while all "unwanted side effects" are side effects, not all side effects are "unwanted side effects".

Is it better to use "adverse effects" or "unwanted side effects"?

"Adverse effects" is generally used in medical or scientific contexts to describe harmful or unfavorable responses. "Unwanted side effects" is a broader term that can be used in various situations to describe negative consequences, medical or otherwise. It depends on the level of formality and context.