What is consequential? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of consequential

consequentialadjective

/ˌkɒnsɪˈkwenʃl//ˌkɑːnsɪˈkwenʃl/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "consequential." It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Most Precise):

  • /ˌkɒn.sɪˈkwɛn.ʃəl/ (This is what a dictionary would use)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • con: Sounds like "con" as in "connect" - /kɒn/
  • si: Sounds like "see" - /sɪ/
  • quen: Sounds like "quan" – /kwen/ (a short “uh” sound)
  • shul: Sounds like "shool" – /ʃuːl/ (The “sh” is almost silent, it’s more of a blend)

2. A More Conversational Explanation:

  • con: Like the word “con”
  • sequence: Say “see-kwence” (like “sequence” as in a series of things)
  • al: Add the “al” sound at the end, rounding your lips slightly.

3. Putting it Together (Slowly):

"Con-see-kwen-shul"

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • The "qu" sound: Don't pronounce "qu" as two separate sounds ("kwee"). It’s a single blended sound.
  • The "sh" sound: This is often the hardest part. It's not a strong "sh" like in "ship." It's a very light and quick sound, almost like a breath of air. Some people even slightly modify it to be a “j” sound.
  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable: "sɪ-".

Resources to Help You Hear It:

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

  • Are you a beginner English speaker, or are you familiar with English pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word consequential in English

Let's break down how to use the word "consequential" effectively in English. It's a more formal word than "important" or "significant," and it's often used in legal, academic, and professional contexts.

1. Core Meaning:

  • Consequential means "resulting from or having as a consequence." It describes something that follows from something else and has a noticeable impact. It emphasizes the result of an action or event.

2. Parts of a Sentence & Examples:

Here's how you can incorporate "consequential" into different sentence structures:

  • As an Adjective (describing a result):

    • "The consequential damage to the environment was significant." (Here, 'consequential' describes the damage - it's a result of something else.)
    • "He made a consequential decision that changed the course of the project." (This highlights that the decision had important results.)
    • "Considering the potential consequential risks, we need to proceed with caution." (The risks are a consequence of something.)

  • As a Noun (referring to the result itself):

    • "The consequence of his actions was his dismissal from the company." (Here, "consequence" is the noun, and it describes the outcome.)
    • "They faced consequential repercussions for their breach of contract." (Repercussions – the consequences – were a result of the breach.)

3. Synonyms (to give you alternatives when "consequential" might be too formal):

  • Significant: A good general alternative.
  • Important: Similar to significant.
  • Resulting: Directly describes the outcome.
  • Following: Similar to resulting.
  • Connected: Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship.
  • Bearing: “Bearing significant consequences”

4. Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Formal Tone: “Consequential” is a more elevated word. Use it when you want to convey a serious and deliberate tone.
  • Cause and Effect: It always implies a relationship between an action or event and its outcome. Don't use it simply to describe something that is "good" or "bad" without showing why it's good or bad.
  • Specificity: Often, you’ll want to be more specific about what the consequences are. For example, instead of saying "The consequential effects were bad," you might say, "The consequential effects included a loss of revenue and damage to our reputation."

5. Examples in Context:

  • "The consequential economic downturn following the pandemic led to widespread unemployment."
  • "The lawyer argued that the company’s negligence had consequential harm to the plaintiffs."
  • “The politician’s speech had consequential impacts on voter turnout.”

6. How to Make Sure You're Using It Correctly:

  • Read it aloud: Does it sound natural in the sentence?
  • Consider your audience: Is "consequential" appropriate for the context and the people you're talking to?
  • If you’re unsure, substitute a simpler word: “Significant” or “important” often work well as alternatives.

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

  • What kind of writing are you doing? (e.g., academic essay, business report, creative writing?)
  • Could you provide an example sentence where you're thinking of using "consequential"?

Synonyms for the word consequential

Practice with vocabulary consequential

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Failing to address the critical security vulnerability immediately proved to be a __________ oversight, leading to significant data breaches.
  2. The initial data suggested a correlation, but __________ research is still required to confirm a causal link between the two variables.
  3. The board's decision to pivot into a new market segment had __________ implications for the company's long-term growth trajectory.
  4. Despite the extensive media coverage, the actual impact of the minor policy change on the daily lives of citizens was relatively __________.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words best describes a decision that has a significant and far-reaching impact on future events? a) incidental b) trivial c) consequential d) minor e) momentous

  2. Selecting the right strategic partner is often a __________ step in successful international expansion. a) superfluous b) indispensable c) inconsequential d) consequential

  3. Which of the following actions could lead to a consequential outcome in a professional setting? a) Making a small formatting error in a draft report. b) Neglecting to backup critical project files before a system update. c) Successfully negotiating a multi-million dollar contract. d) Forgetting to reply to a non-urgent internal email for a few hours.

  4. After the initial consultation, the __________ steps involved submitting the detailed proposal and then attending a follow-up meeting. a) consequential b) subsequent c) concurrent d) preceding

  5. The discovery of antibiotics marked a truly __________ turning point in human medicine, fundamentally altering the fight against infectious diseases. a) peripheral b) incidental c) pivotal d) trivial

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The leadership team's choice to ignore the employee feedback survey resulted in a significant decline in morale and productivity. (Rewrite using "consequential" or a related word form.)
  2. Establishing a robust cybersecurity framework is extremely important for protecting sensitive company data from potential threats. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "consequential".)
  3. The outcome of the upcoming international climate summit will have a huge impact on global environmental policies for decades to come. (Rewrite using "consequential" or a related word form.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. consequential
  2. subsequent
  3. consequential
  4. negligible

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) consequential, e) momentous
  2. b) indispensable, d) consequential
  3. b) Neglecting to backup critical project files before a system update., c) Successfully negotiating a multi-million dollar contract.
  4. b) subsequent
  5. c) pivotal

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The leadership team's choice to ignore the employee feedback survey had consequential effects, resulting in a significant decline in morale and productivity.
  2. Establishing a robust cybersecurity framework is critical for protecting sensitive company data from potential threats.
  3. The outcome of the upcoming international climate summit will have consequential implications for global environmental policies for decades to come.

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