will have consequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will have consequences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to express the idea that an action will lead to an inevitable result. For example, "Cheating on a test will have consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

it will have consequences.

The Guardian - Business

The 2012 elections will have consequences, too.

The New York Times

This will have consequences beyond our imagining.

The Guardian - Opinion

And violations will have consequences," he said.

The Guardian

This is unprecedented and will have consequences".

The New York Times

And these cuts will have consequences.

The Guardian

Even so, the election will have consequences.

The Guardian

Even a 1.5C increase will have consequences.

The Guardian

But politically, he said, it will have consequences.

The New York Times

"Such comments are unacceptable and will have consequences.

Independent

And because it was an act it will have consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will have consequences", ensure the connection between the action and its outcome is clear and logical. Ambiguity can weaken the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "will have consequences" without specifying what those consequences are. Vague statements lack impact. Instead, detail the specific outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will have consequences" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a specific action or event is expected to produce certain outcomes. It often serves to warn, predict, or emphasize the importance of considering potential effects. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will have consequences" is a versatile expression used to indicate that an action or event will inevitably lead to certain outcomes. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across diverse contexts, notably in news, science, and formal business settings. While its usage is generally neutral, specifying the nature of these consequences enhances clarity and impact. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. It's important to remember that although there are valid alternatives such as "will result in" and "will lead to", the core message remains consistent: actions have repercussions. When writing, always aim for specificity to maximize the phrase's effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will result in

Replaces 'have consequences' with 'result in', focusing on the direct outcome of an action.

will lead to

Similar to 'result in', but emphasizes the pathway to the outcome rather than just the outcome itself.

will entail

Suggests that something is a necessary part or result of something else.

will bring about

Highlights the action of causing something to happen.

will give rise to

Emphasizes the origin or beginning of the consequences.

will incur

Focuses on the idea of bringing something undesirable upon oneself.

will create

More generally indicates the formation or production of something.

will generate

Similar to 'create', but often used in the context of producing something on a larger scale.

will spark

Suggests that the action will initiate something, often something energetic or sudden.

will precipitate

Implies that the action will hasten or cause something to happen sooner than expected.

FAQs

How can I use "will have consequences" in a sentence?

Use "will have consequences" to indicate that a specific action or decision will lead to particular results. For instance, "Ignoring safety regulations "will have consequences" for worker safety".

What are some alternatives to saying "will have consequences"?

You can use alternatives such as "will result in", "will lead to", or "will entail" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific about the consequences instead of just saying "will have consequences"?

Yes, being specific about the consequences makes your statement more impactful and informative. Instead of saying "That decision "will have consequences"", you could say "That decision will result in budget cuts and project delays".

What's the difference between ""will have consequences"" and "will have implications"?

"Will have consequences" generally refers to more direct and tangible outcomes, while "will have implications" suggests broader, less immediate effects that may not be immediately obvious.