ensued: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “ensued” mean?
To happen as a result or consequence of something else.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To happen as a result or consequence of something else; to follow immediately afterward.
To occur in a sequence or succession, often implying a logical or temporal connection to a preceding event, situation, or period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and frequent in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and descriptive; carries a slightly formal or literary tone.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written contexts (news, reports, literature) than in casual speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “ensued” in a Sentence
An argument ensued.A long debate ensued between them.What ensued was chaos.Following the announcement, a period of uncertainty ensued.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ensued” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After the referee's controversial decision, a pitch invasion ensued.
- A brief scuffle ensued before the police arrived.
American English
- Once the fire alarm went off, a chaotic evacuation ensued.
- The president resigned, and a bitter leadership battle ensued.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports to describe market reactions or consequences of decisions: 'After the merger was announced, a sharp drop in share prices ensued.'
Academic
Common in historical or scientific writing to describe sequential events or results: 'The experiment failed, and a lengthy review of the methodology ensued.'
Everyday
Used in storytelling: 'I accidentally spilled my drink, and a very embarrassing silence ensued.'
Technical
Used in legal, medical, or procedural contexts to describe subsequent stages or outcomes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ensued”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ensued”
- Using it without a clear preceding cause/event: 'We had a nice dinner and ensued a film.' (Incorrect. Use 'watched' or 'then saw').
- Confusing spelling: 'ensured' (to make certain) vs. 'ensued' (happened afterward).
- Using it in a future sense without auxiliary verbs: 'A fight will ensue' is correct; 'A fight ensues tomorrow' is less natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. It is common in writing, news reports, and formal speech, but can be used in everyday storytelling for dramatic effect.
Yes, but typically in the future-in-the-past or with auxiliary verbs: 'They knew a conflict would ensue.' The base form 'ensue' is used for the future: 'If this continues, a crisis will ensue.'
The most common error is confusing it with 'ensured' (to make sure something happens). For example, 'He ensued the safety of the passengers' is incorrect; it should be 'He ensured the safety...'
Yes. 'Ensued' is an intransitive verb; it does not take a direct object. The subject is the event that happens (e.g., Chaos ensued). You cannot 'ensue' something.
To happen as a result or consequence of something else.
Ensued: in British English it is pronounced /ɪnˈsjuːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪnˈsuːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All hell broke loose (as a very informal, intense synonym for 'chaos ensued').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ENSUED = It ENds as a SUE (sequence) of Events that Develops.' It's the event that comes in the sequence.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVENTS ARE LINKS IN A CHAIN (one event is linked to and pulls the next one into existence).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'ensued' correctly?