consequence
A consequence is what happens after you do something, often as a result.
Explanation at your level:
A consequence is what happens after you do something. For example, if you eat too much candy, the consequence is a tummy ache. It is the result of your action. You can use this word when you talk about results.
When you do something, there is a result. We call this a consequence. Often, we use this word when the result is not good. For example, if you are late for school, the consequence is that you miss the start of the lesson.
A consequence is the logical result of an action. It is often used to talk about negative outcomes. For example, 'The consequence of not studying is failing the exam.' It is a very useful word in school and work to explain why something happened.
In B2 level English, you will notice that consequence is often paired with adjectives like 'serious' or 'unintended.' It is a more precise word than 'result.' You might say, 'The unintended consequences of the new law were surprising.' It shows you are thinking about cause and effect.
At the C1 level, consequence is frequently used in formal, academic, or professional contexts. It implies a chain of causality. You might discuss the 'long-term consequences' of climate change or the 'social consequences' of a policy. It is a powerful noun to use when you want to analyze complex situations and show how one event triggers another.
At the C2 level, you can use consequence to discuss philosophical or abstract outcomes. It carries a sense of gravity and inevitability. You might describe someone as a 'person of consequence,' meaning they are influential or important. It is also used in logic to describe the validity of an argument. Mastering this word allows you to discuss causality with nuance and precision, moving beyond simple 'results' to describe the weight of human action and historical progression.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Consequence means a result or effect.
- It is often used for negative outcomes.
- It is a countable noun.
- It is formal and precise.
Hey there! Think of a consequence as the 'after-effect' of your choices. Every time you make a decision, something follows it—that's the consequence.
While we often use the word to talk about unpleasant results (like getting a time-out), it’s actually a neutral term in science and logic. It just means the thing that comes next in a chain of events.
In a formal setting, you might hear someone talk about the 'consequences of a policy.' This just means the impact or the results that the policy will have on the world. It’s a powerful word that reminds us that our actions have weight!
The word consequence has a fancy Latin ancestor: consequentia. This comes from consequi, which literally means 'to follow closely' or 'to follow after.'
It entered English in the 14th century. Back then, it was mostly used in philosophical and logical debates to describe a conclusion that followed from a set of premises. It wasn't until later that it started being used to describe the 'punishment' aspect we often think of today.
It’s cool to see how words evolve from abstract logic to everyday warnings! Languages are always growing, and this word has traveled from ancient scrolls to your daily conversations.
You'll see consequence used in many ways. We often pair it with adjectives like 'serious,' 'unintended,' or 'dire.' If someone says, 'There will be consequences,' they usually mean you are in trouble!
In professional writing, you might see 'as a consequence of,' which is a formal way of saying 'because of.' It sounds much more sophisticated than just saying 'because.' Use it when you want to sound clear, logical, and authoritative.
Remember, while 'result' is a great synonym, 'consequence' carries a bit more gravity. It implies that the outcome is linked directly to the action that came before it.
1. Take the consequences: To accept the results of your actions, even if they are bad. Example: 'You broke the vase, now you must take the consequences.'
2. Of no consequence: Meaning something is unimportant. Example: 'His opinion is of no consequence to me.'
3. In consequence of: A formal way to say 'as a result of.' Example: 'In consequence of the rain, the game was canceled.'
4. Consequence of one's actions: The standard phrase for personal responsibility. Example: 'He finally understood the consequence of his actions.'
5. A matter of consequence: Something that is very important or serious. Example: 'This meeting is a matter of great consequence for our company.'
The word is a countable noun. You can say 'a consequence' or 'the consequences' (plural). It is usually followed by the preposition 'of.'
Pronunciation-wise, in the UK it is /ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/ and in the US it is /ˈkɑːnsɪkwens/. The stress is always on the first syllable: CON-se-quence.
It rhymes with words like 'sequence' or 'eloquence.' Try saying it slowly: CON-se-quence. It has a nice, crisp sound that helps emphasize your point when you're speaking!
Fun Fact
It evolved from logical terminology to a general word for results.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with a short 'o' sound.
Starts with a long 'ah' sound.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
- Pronouncing the 'q' as a 'k'.
- Swallowing the final 's' sound.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in news and academic texts.
Useful for formal essays.
Used in serious conversations.
Frequently heard in media.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Cause and Effect
Because of X, Y happened.
Noun Phrases
The consequence of the war.
Adverbial Conjunctions
Consequently, we stayed.
Examples by Level
The consequence of rain is wet grass.
rain -> wet grass
singular noun
Eating too much is a consequence.
eat too much -> result
gerund subject
What is the consequence?
asking for result
interrogative
He had a bad consequence.
bad result
adjective usage
The consequence is clear.
the result is obvious
linking verb
I know the consequence.
I know the result
transitive verb
No consequence today.
no result today
negative
The consequence was small.
the result was little
past tense
The consequence of being late is a detention.
He did not think about the consequences.
There are consequences for every action.
The consequence was not what I expected.
She faced the consequences of her choice.
Is this a consequence of the storm?
We must accept the consequences.
The consequence is a fine.
The environmental consequences of pollution are severe.
He had to deal with the consequences of his mistake.
The government is studying the consequences of the new law.
As a consequence, the meeting was postponed.
There were many unintended consequences of the project.
She was worried about the consequences of her decision.
The consequence of his hard work was a promotion.
Do you understand the consequences of your actions?
The long-term consequences of the policy are still unknown.
He is a man of great consequence in the community.
The decision had dire consequences for the company.
The consequence of the experiment was a breakthrough.
We must weigh the consequences before we act.
She accepted the consequences without complaint.
The consequence of his silence was misunderstanding.
These events are of little consequence to the public.
The geopolitical consequences of the treaty were far-reaching.
He analyzed the logical consequences of the hypothesis.
The consequence of his actions reverberated through the decade.
The unintended consequences of the policy were catastrophic.
It is a matter of great consequence to the national interest.
The consequence of the shift in power was immediate.
She considered the moral consequences of her research.
The consequence of the trial was a change in law.
The historical consequences of the revolution are still being debated.
He acted with a sense of the consequence of his position.
The consequence of the philosophical argument was profound.
The consequence of his life's work was a new paradigm.
She was a woman of significant consequence in the arts.
The consequence of the error was a total system collapse.
The consequence of the choice was inevitable.
The consequence of the event was a shift in culture.
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"of no consequence"
unimportant
That detail is of no consequence.
formal"take the consequences"
accept results
I will take the consequences.
neutral"bear the consequences"
endure results
She had to bear the consequences.
formal"in consequence of"
because of
In consequence of the storm, we stayed.
formal"suffer the consequences"
experience bad results
You will suffer the consequences.
neutral"a matter of consequence"
important matter
This is a matter of consequence.
formalEasily Confused
Similar sound
Sequence is order, consequence is result.
The sequence of events led to a bad consequence.
Similar meaning
Consequence is more formal and often implies cause-effect.
The result was good; the consequence of his action was bad.
Similar meaning
Outcome is the end point of a process.
We don't know the outcome yet.
Similar meaning
Effect is a change produced by an action.
The medicine had a good effect.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + consequence
He faced the consequence.
The consequence of + noun + is + noun
The consequence of rain is mud.
As a consequence, + sentence
As a consequence, we left.
There are serious consequences for + verb-ing
There are consequences for lying.
The unintended consequences of + noun + were + adj
The unintended consequences were severe.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Consequence is always the result, not the start.
It needs a subject to be the consequence of.
Sequence is order; consequence is result.
Consequence is only a noun.
Consequence sounds a bit formal for casual chat.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a domino falling and hitting a sign that says 'consequence'.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to emphasize that a result was caused by a specific action.
Cultural Insight
In Western culture, 'consequences' are often linked to personal responsibility.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow it with 'of' when explaining the cause.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable: CON-se-quence.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb!
Did You Know?
The word comes from Latin 'to follow'.
Study Smart
Learn 'consequently' at the same time.
Writing Tip
Use 'consequently' to start a sentence when showing a result.
Speaking Tip
Use it to sound more logical and serious.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CON (together) + SEQUENCE (follow). Things that follow together.
Visual Association
A row of falling dominoes.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your day using the word.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to follow closely
Cultural Context
Can sound threatening if used in a personal argument.
Often used in legal and disciplinary contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- face the consequences
- serious consequence
- think of the consequences
at work
- business consequences
- long-term consequence
- unintended consequence
in law
- legal consequence
- dire consequences
- accept the consequences
in logic
- logical consequence
- necessary consequence
- formal consequence
Conversation Starters
"What do you think is the biggest consequence of climate change?"
"Have you ever had to face the consequences of a bad decision?"
"Do you think people today worry enough about the consequences of their actions?"
"What is a consequence of being famous?"
"Can you name a positive consequence of working hard?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you faced a consequence for your actions.
Describe a decision you made and its unintended consequences.
How do you prepare for the consequences of your choices?
Why is it important to think about consequences before acting?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is neutral, but often used for negative results.
Yes, but 'result' or 'outcome' is more common.
Yes, you can have one consequence or many consequences.
There is no direct verb form; use 'result in' instead.
CON-se-quence.
It is neutral but leans formal.
Consequently.
Yes, it is very common in professional emails.
Test Yourself
The ___ of the rain is wet grass.
Consequence is the result.
Which means the same as 'result'?
Consequence is a synonym for result.
A consequence is always good.
Consequences are often negative.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms to their meanings.
Standard subject-verb order.
He faced the ___ of his actions.
Plural fits the context.
What does 'unintended consequence' mean?
Unintended means not planned.
You can use 'consequence' as a verb.
It is strictly a noun.
Word
Meaning
Common adjective pairings.
Adjective placement.
Score: /10
Summary
A consequence is the logical result of an action, reminding us that every choice has an impact.
- Consequence means a result or effect.
- It is often used for negative outcomes.
- It is a countable noun.
- It is formal and precise.
Memory Palace
Imagine a domino falling and hitting a sign that says 'consequence'.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to emphasize that a result was caused by a specific action.
Cultural Insight
In Western culture, 'consequences' are often linked to personal responsibility.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow it with 'of' when explaining the cause.
Example
If you continue to ignore your health, you will eventually have to face the consequences.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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abstinence
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abtactship
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abvolism
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acceptance
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