consequential

/ˌkɒnsɪˈkwenʃl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːnsɪˈkwenʃl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈkwen(t)-shəl/ (ame, mw)

consequential — adjective

  • consequentialpositive
  • more consequentialcomparative
  • most consequentialsuperlative

1. A consequential effect, loss, or change appears later because something else hap

1.形容詞C1
釋義

A consequential effect, loss, or change appears later because something else happened first.

例句

The factory fire caused consequential damage to nearby shops and homes.

consequential damage = later result of an event

After Linh missed the payment, consequential fees appeared on her bank statement.

同義詞
  • resulting

    More general and less formal than consequential

  • secondary

    Suggests a later or less direct result, often in formal writing

  • indirect

    Stresses that the effect is not immediate or direct

反義詞
  • direct

    Happening immediately, not as a later effect

  • immediate

    Occurs at once rather than following later

文法句型

consequential + noun

用法筆記

Often used with nouns such as damage, loss, cost, and change. This sense is common in formal, technical, and legal writing when the speaker is focusing on the later result rather than the original event.

常見錯誤

❌The storm was consequential for the town.
✅The storm caused consequential damage in the town.
💡this sense usually describes the later effect, not the original event itself.

2. If a decision, event, or person is consequential, it strongly affects what happe

2.形容詞C1
釋義

If a decision, event, or person is consequential, it strongly affects what happens next.

例句

The court's ruling was consequential for nurses across the whole province.

be consequential for [group] = have major effects

Amani made a consequential decision when she sold the family farm.

同義詞
  • important

    Broader everyday word that does not always suggest later effects

  • significant

    Often stresses a clear effect or measurable importance

  • far-reaching

    Emphasises effects spreading widely across time or groups

  • momentous

    Suggests especially historic or life-changing importance

反義詞
  • minor

    Having little effect or importance

  • trivial

    So unimportant that it does not matter much

  • inconsequential

    Not important enough to affect later events

文法句型

consequential + noun

be consequential for [person or group]

用法筆記

Often modifies nouns such as decision, ruling, issue, and debate. It is stronger and more formal than important because it suggests that later events, policies, or choices will be shaped by it.

常見錯誤

❌The cafe was consequential because the coffee tasted good.
✅The cafe was important to me because the coffee tasted good.
💡consequential usually implies wider effects, not just personal value.