what were the consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what were the consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the results or effects of a particular action or event in the past. Example: "After the policy changes were implemented, I would like to know what were the consequences for the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

What were the consequences?

The Guardian - Opinion

What were the consequences of the founding of McDonald's?

The New Yorker

"Absolutely everyone asked me: what were the consequences?

The Guardian - Film

How did the government respond, and what were the consequences?

The New York Times

What were the consequences of the war for Europe?

The Economist

"What were the consequences of our secret identity's exposure?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But what are the consequences?

The New York Times

So what are the consequences?

The Guardian - Film

And what are the consequences?

The Guardian - Film

What are the consequences for patient care?

The Guardian

Yet what are the consequences of defeat?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of a decision or event, clearly identify the specific area or group affected to provide context and enhance clarity. For example, instead of "What were the consequences?", specify "What were the consequences for the local economy after the factory closure?"

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without specifying the action or event to which it refers. Ensure the context is clear to prevent ambiguity. For example, avoid simply stating "What were the consequences?" Instead, provide context: "Given the new environmental regulations, what were the consequences for the manufacturing industry?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what were the consequences" functions as an interrogative clause, prompting an inquiry about the results or effects of a specific action or event. It is commonly used to understand the repercussions or outcomes that followed a particular situation, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what were the consequences" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative clause that seeks information about the results or effects of a past action or event. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its suitability across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific discussions. While it maintains a neutral register, more formal alternatives like "ramifications" or "implications" can be used in academic settings.

Several alternative phrases exist, such as "what resulted from that" or "what impacts did that cause", offering nuanced ways to inquire about outcomes. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. The frequent use of "what were the consequences" in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and effectiveness in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what were the repercussions of that

Replaces "consequences" with the more formal "repercussions".

what was the outcome of that

Replaces "consequences" with "outcome" and uses a different sentence structure.

what resulted from that

Focuses on the outcome but uses a different verb and preposition.

what did that lead to

Focuses on the chain of events and the final result.

what effects did it have

Emphasizes the effects using a more direct question structure.

what followed from that

Indicates a sequential result using the verb "followed".

what impacts did that cause

Uses the word "impacts" instead of "consequences" and a different verb.

what implications arose from that

Uses the term "implications" to refer to indirect or subtle consequences.

how did that play out

Employs a more idiomatic expression to inquire about the unfolding of events.

what was the fallout from that

Uses "fallout" to refer to the negative consequences, implying a crisis.

FAQs

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

To sound more formal, you could use alternatives such as "what were the ramifications", "what were the repercussions", or "what were the implications".

Is "what were the consequences" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "what were the consequences" is suitable for academic writing. However, for greater precision, consider alternatives like "what were the effects" or "what were the outcomes" depending on the specific context.

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

While both inquire about outcomes, "what were the consequences" often implies a chain of events or broader implications, whereas "what were the results" typically refers to direct and immediate outcomes. Consider the context to choose the more appropriate phrase.

How to use "what were the consequences" in a sentence?

You can use "what were the consequences" to inquire about the effects of a past event or decision. For example, "After the new policy was implemented, what were the consequences for employee morale?"