Consequentially Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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consequentially
[ˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəli ]
Definition
cause and effect
Consequentially is used to indicate that something is the result or effect of a preceding event or condition. It often implies that such effects are significant or important.
Synonyms
accordingly, subsequently, therefore, thus.
Examples of usage
- She did not study and, consequentially, failed the exam.
- The company ignored the warnings and, consequentially, faced legal issues.
- He missed the bus and consequentially arrived late to the meeting.
- They decided to cut costs and, consequentially, reduced staff.
- The storm damaged several homes; consequentially, many families were displaced.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Cognitive psychology often uses this term to explain how people perceive the relationship between actions and outcomes.
- Understanding consequences is crucial for learning and decision-making, as recognizing this helps in predicting actions.
- Studies show that individuals with a strong grasp of sequential outcomes can make better long-term choices.
Law
- In legal contexts, actions taken can have consequential effects, especially when assessing liability or damages.
- Lawyers often argue consequentially when presenting how a defendant's actions led to specific harm.
- The concept is fundamental in tort law, where affected parties can claim damages based on outcomes of careless actions.
Literature
- Many narratives build tension by presenting actions that consequentially lead characters into dilemmas.
- Authors often explore 'what if' scenarios demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of seemingly small actions.
- Literary devices like foreshadowing highlight how consequences are linked in storytelling.
Education
- Teaching cause and effect is essential in developing critical thinking in students, showing how conclusions follow from ideas.
- Educators use real-life examples to illustrate how actions have consequential effects on society and individuals.
- Curricula often emphasize understanding these relationships to prepare students for responsible decision-making.
Origin of 'consequentially'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'consequentia', meaning 'following together', highlighting the relationship between events.
- Etymology relates to the root 'sequi', meaning 'to follow'. This illustrates how outcomes follow actions.
- It became part of the English language in the late 14th century, linking cause and effect in reasoning.
The word 'consequentially' is derived from the root word 'consequential', which originated in the early 19th century. 'Consequential' itself comes from the Latin 'consequentia', a combination of 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'sequi' meaning 'to follow'. This composite indicates things that follow together, i.e., in cause-and-effect relationships. The adverb form 'consequentially' likely emerged in the late 19th to early 20th century as English speakers sought to express the resultant nature of events more succinctly. In modern usage, it reflects a level of formal discourse, often utilized in analytical writing, discussions of logic, and in legal contexts, to emphasize the importance of the effects and results of actions or decisions.