好词典

consequence

UK //ˈkɒnsɪkwəns//US //ˈkɑːnsɪkwens//

词源

源自拉丁语 consequentia,由 com-(一起)和 sequi(跟随)组成,字面意思为“跟随而来的事物”。14世纪通过古法语进入英语。

noun

❶ 指某件事或行为导致的结果或影响,通常强调因果关系。可以是正面或负面的结果,但常用于指不良后果。

“The heavy rain had serious consequences for the farmers.”

(大雨给农民带来了严重的后果。)

“He didn't study for the exam and faced the consequences.”

(他没有为考试学习,因此承担了后果。)

❶ 指某事物的重要性或价值,常用于正式语境中表示某事的意义或影响。

“This discovery is of great consequence to science.”

(这一发现对科学具有重大意义。)

“The meeting was of little consequence and could have been an email.”

(这次会议无关紧要,本可以用一封邮件代替。)

同义词:result, outcome, effect, repercussion, significance

常见短语

as a consequence — 表示由于某种原因导致的结果,相当于“因此”或“结果”,常用于正式或书面表达。

“He forgot his passport, and as a consequence, he couldn't board the plane.”

(他忘了带护照,因此无法登机。)

take the consequences — 指承担自己行为带来的结果,通常指负面后果,强调责任意识。

“If you break the rules, you must be prepared to take the consequences.”

(如果你违反规则,就必须准备好承担后果。)

of no consequence — 表示某事完全不重要或没有影响,用于强调某事物无关紧要。

“The spelling mistake was of no consequence in such an informal letter.”

(在这样一封非正式的信中,拼写错误无关紧要。)