What is consequence? Pronunciation and usage in English

consequence means . Learn how to pronounce and use consequence through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of consequence

consequencenoun

/ˈkɒnsɪkw(ə)ns/
Definition & pronunciation of consequence

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "consequence" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word is divided into three syllables:

  • con - (like the word "cone")
  • se - (like the word "sea")
  • quence - (this is the challenging part!)

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using sounds):

  • con: /kən/ (The "n" sound is nasal - meaning you feel it in your nose a little)

  • se: /sə/ (like the "s" in "sun" - short and quick)

  • quence: /ˈkwəns/ (This is the tricky part!)

    • /kw/: The “kw” sound - similar to the “qu” in “quick”.
    • /ə/: A short, unstressed "uh" sound. This is often called a schwa sound.
    • /ns/: The “ns” sound – like in “nose.”

3. Putting it together:

So, the whole word sounds like: kuhn-suh-kwenz (With a slight pause between the first two syllables)

4. Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable – "con."
  • The "quence" sound: This is where most people stumble. Think of it as a short “kwuh” sound, followed by the "ns" sound. Don’t necessarily try to force a hard “kw” sound.
  • Nasal "n": Make sure you feel the "n" in "con" a little bit – it’s nasal.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/consequence/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.
  • Google Translate: You can type "consequence" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any part of this explanation further?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word consequence in English

Let's break down how to use the word "consequence" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few related meanings.

1. Basic Meaning: Result or Effect

At its core, "consequence" means the result or effect of an action, decision, or event. It's what happens because of something else.

  • Example: "Because he lied, the consequence was that he lost his friend's trust." (The losing trust is the result of the lying.)
  • Example: "There will be serious consequences if you continue to break the rules." (Breaking the rules leads to negative results.)

2. As a Noun (the most common use)

  • General Result: "The consequence of the storm was widespread flooding."
  • Negative Result: "He faced the consequence of his reckless driving – a hefty fine."
  • Positive Result (less common, but possible): "The consequence of her hard work was a promotion." (While "reward" is often used here, "consequence" can work if you frame it as a result of deliberate effort.)

3. As a Verb (less frequent, but important)

As a verb, "consequence" means to result in or cause.

  • Example: "Smoking consequences in a high risk of lung cancer." (Smoking results in a high risk of lung cancer.)
  • Example: "His actions consequenced in his dismissal from the company." (His actions caused his dismissal.)

4. Phrases and Common Usage

  • "Have consequences": Often used to mean “to cause something bad to happen.” “Lying always has consequences.”
  • "Accept the consequences": To deal with the results of your actions, good or bad. “He accepted the consequences of his mistake.”
  • "Serious consequences": This emphasizes the gravity of the result. “The politician faced serious consequences for his corruption.”
  • "Unintended consequences": Something that happens as a result of an action, but was not planned or expected. "The new law had unintended consequences – it actually made things worse."

Tips for Using "Consequence" Effectively:

  • Clarity: Make sure it's clear what the consequence is. Don't just say “there will be consequences.” Specify what those consequences will be.
  • Context: Pay attention to whether you’re talking about a positive or negative outcome.
  • Synonyms: Consider synonyms like result, effect, outcome, repercussion, or consequence for variety.

Here are some examples combining these elements:

  • “The consequence of ignoring the warning signs was a serious accident.” (Noun, negative result)
  • “Investing in solar energy will consequence in lower electricity bills.” (Verb)
  • “She faced serious consequences for her dishonesty.” (Noun, negative result)

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "consequence" in? (e.g., writing an essay, a conversation, a report?)
  • Could you give me a sentence you've written that you're not sure about using "consequence" in?

Synonyms for the word consequence

Idioms of the word consequence

in consequence (of something)
(formal)as a result of something
  • The child was born deformed in consequence of an injury to the mother.
  • It had been a humiliating day for Flora and she bore the director a grudge in consequence.
  • The employer is liable for compensation payable in consequence of injury to one of its employees.

Practice with vocabulary consequence

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The immediate ____________ of the system malfunction was a complete shutdown of operations.
  2. Neglecting proper data security measures can have severe ____________ for an organization's reputation.
  3. The board's ____________ to invest in renewable energy sources was met with broad approval.
  4. Her insightful ____________ of the market trends helped us develop a new strategy.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Prolonged neglect of maintenance can have severe ____________ for industrial machinery. A. effects B. results C. consequences D. breakthroughs

  2. The company faced legal ____________ following the data breach. A. procedures B. ramifications C. liabilities D. insights

  3. One major ____________ of rapid urban development is increased traffic congestion. A. source B. outcome C. consequence D. origin

  4. Effective crisis management requires swift ____________ and clear communication. A. decisions B. deliberations C. observations D. perceptions

  5. Before launching the product, we must assess its market ____________. A. viability B. resilience C. efficiency D. consistency

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The decision to cut funding severely affected the research project's progress. Rewrite (using "consequence" or related):
  2. Original: If you neglect safety protocols, it can lead to unfortunate incidents. Rewrite (using "consequence" or related):
  3. Original: The company chose to expand into new markets, which presented many opportunities and challenges. Rewrite (do not use "consequence"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. consequence
  2. consequences
  3. decision
  4. analysis

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A. effects, B. results, C. consequences
  2. B. ramifications, C. liabilities
  3. B. outcome, C. consequence
  4. A. decisions
  5. A. viability

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: The severe impact on the research project's progress was a direct consequence of the decision to cut funding.
  2. Rewrite: Neglecting safety protocols can have serious consequences and lead to unfortunate incidents.
  3. Rewrite: The company's expansion into new markets presented numerous opportunities and implications.

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