consequent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, academic, technical (e.g., logic, law)
Quick answer
What does “consequent” mean?
Following as a result or logical effect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Following as a result or logical effect.
Describing a logical or temporal sequence; also used as a noun (rare in modern usage) to denote a result or outcome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The collocation 'consequent on' is slightly more common in UK formal writing than US, where 'resulting from' or 'following' might be preferred.
Connotations
Neutral/logical in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions; primarily a written, formal word.
Grammar
How to Use “consequent” in a Sentence
[Noun Phrase] + consequent + (on/upon) + [Noun Phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “consequent” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The policy change and the consequent social upheaval were widely debated.
- The breach of contract and the losses consequent upon it led to legal action.
American English
- The market crash and the consequent recession affected millions.
- The damage consequent on the hurricane was catastrophic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports to discuss outcomes of decisions, e.g., 'the consequent financial impact'.
Academic
Common in logic, philosophy, and sciences to describe effects, e.g., 'the experiment's failure and the consequent revision of the hypothesis'.
Everyday
Rare; replaced by 'so', 'therefore', 'as a result'.
Technical
Used in logic for the second part of a conditional statement (If P, then Q; Q is the consequent).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “consequent”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “consequent”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consequent”
- Using 'consequent' as a noun in everyday language (use 'consequence').
- Incorrect preposition: 'consequent of' instead of 'consequent on/upon'.
- Confusing with 'subsequent' (which merely means 'following in time', not necessarily as a result).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a written, formal word. In everyday speech, people use phrases like 'as a result', 'so', or 'because of that'.
'Consequent' means 'following as a result'. 'Consequential' more often means 'important, significant' (e.g., a consequential decision), though it can sometimes mean 'following as a result', which can cause confusion.
Yes, but this is rare and highly formal or technical (e.g., in logic). In almost all modern contexts, the noun is 'consequence'.
It is typically followed by 'on' or 'upon' when introducing the cause (e.g., 'problems consequent on the new law').
Following as a result or logical effect.
Consequent is usually formal, academic, technical (e.g., logic, law) in register.
Consequent: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒnsɪkwənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːnsɪkwənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly; the word itself is a component of logical phrasing]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CONSEQUENT = comes as a CONSEQUENCE. It's the 'quent' (following) part after the cause.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT/JOURNEY (The consequent step), CHAIN (A link in a causal chain).
Practice
Quiz
In formal logic, the 'consequent' is...