what the consequences will be

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'what the consequences will be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about the potential results of a situation or action. For example: "We must consider what the consequences will be if we make this decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Who knows what the consequences will be?

The Washington Post

I don't know what the consequences will be of telling my story.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is too early to say what the consequences will be.

The Guardian - Opinion

What the consequences will be if it fails to do so, Iranian officials do not say.

The New York Times

But we shouldn't do it without an understanding of what the consequences will be.

Cornell University

No one asks what the consequences will be - all will be good, they childishly think.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But what the consequence will be for airlines like BA remains to be seen.

The New York Times

I don't know what the consequence will be, but I can't imagine it will be wonderful.

University of California, Berkeley

They pass a credit because it sounds good and have no idea what the consequence will be," says Alan Peters Alan Peters, a University of Iowa professor who studies state enterprise-zone tax credits.

Forbes

Decide what the consequence will be if any rule is not followed.

WikiHow

Something is put into motion in that same desert 11 years later, though we're far from knowing why or what exactly the consequences will be.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scenarios where future outcomes are uncertain, frame discussions around "what the consequences will be" to promote proactive planning and mitigation strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "what the consequences will be" when you actually want to explore the reasons why something happened; consequences refer to results, not causes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what the consequences will be" functions as a relative clause introducing an inquiry or speculation about the potential results of an action, decision, or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what the consequences will be" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about or speculate on the potential outcomes of various actions or situations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, including news, academia, and science. While variations like "what the "ramifications will be"" or "what the "implications will be"" can add formality, the phrase remains effective for prompting consideration of potential impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what the ramifications will be

Replaces "consequences" with "ramifications", emphasizing the complex and far-reaching effects.

what the repercussions will be

Substitutes "consequences" with "repercussions", highlighting the negative or indirect effects.

what the outcomes will be

Uses "outcomes" instead of "consequences", focusing on the results or effects of a situation.

what the results will be

Employs "results" in place of "consequences", indicating the effects or achievements that follow an event.

what the implications will be

Replaces "consequences" with "implications", suggesting the possible effects or results of an action or decision.

what the effects will be

Uses "effects" instead of "consequences", simply referring to changes that result from an action or cause.

what the aftereffects will be

Adds "aftereffects" to specify the consequences that occur following an event, particularly negative ones.

what the upshot will be

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise version, "upshot", indicating the final result or outcome.

what the fallout will be

Uses "fallout" to denote the adverse or negative consequences of a particular event or action.

what the end result will be

Specifies "end result" to emphasize the final outcome after a process or event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what the consequences will be" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "what the "ramifications will be"" or "what the "implications will be"". These options lend a more serious and considered tone to your writing.

Is it correct to use "what the consequences will be" in academic writing?

Yes, "what the consequences will be" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing. It is a clear and direct way to inquire about potential outcomes. However, ensure that the overall tone and vocabulary of your writing remain formal and scholarly.

What's the difference between "what the consequences will be" and "what the results will be"?

While both phrases refer to outcomes, "what the consequences will be" often implies a broader scope, encompassing both positive and negative effects. "What the "results will be"" is generally used for more specific, measurable outcomes.

Can "what the consequences will be" be used when discussing hypothetical situations?

Yes, "what the consequences will be" is often used to explore potential outcomes in hypothetical scenarios. It encourages thinking about the potential impacts of different actions or events, even if they are not certain to occur.