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Effect vs Consequence - What's the difference?

effect | consequence |

As nouns the difference between effect and consequence

is that effect is the result or outcome of a cause. See usage notes below.consequence is that which follows something on which it depends; that which is produced by a cause.

As verbs the difference between effect and consequence

is that effect is to make or bring about; to implement while consequence is to threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour.

effect

English

(wikipedia effect)

Noun

  • The result or outcome of a cause. See below.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=The stories did not seem to me to touch life. They were plainly intended to have a bracing moral effect , and perhaps had this result for the people at whom they were aimed.}}
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=1 citation , passage=The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […]  The bed was the most extravagant piece.  Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-08, volume=407, issue=8839, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= Obama goes troll-hunting , passage=The solitary, lumbering trolls of Scandinavian mythology would sometimes be turned to stone by exposure to sunlight. Barack Obama is hoping that several measures announced on June 4th will have a similarly paralysing effect on their modern incarnation, the patent troll.}}
  • Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
  • * J. C. Shairp
    • patchwork introduced for oratorical effect
  • * Washington Irving
    • The effect was heightened by the wild and lonely nature of the place.
  • (filmology) An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")
  • (sound engineering) An alteration in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.
  • (sound engineering) A device for producing an alteration in sound produced by an instrument.
  • Execution; performance; realization; operation.
  • * Shakespeare
    • That no compunctious visitings of nature / Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between / The effect and it.
  • # (uncountable) The state of being binding and enforceable, as in a rule, policy, or law.
  • A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.
  • (usually plural) Belongings, usually as personal effects.
  • Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; with to .
  • * Bible, Chron. xxxiv. 22
    • They spake to her to that effect .
  • (obsolete) Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
  • * Denham
    • no other in effect than what it seems
  • (obsolete) Manifestation; expression; sign.
  • * Shakespeare
    • All the large effects / That troop with majesty.

    Usage notes

    The words “affect” and “effect'” can both be used as nouns or verbs, but when used as a noun the word affect is limited to uses in the psychology field, and the above definitions for ' effect are much more common. See also the usage notes as a verb below. Adjectives often applied to "effect": * biological, chemical, cultural, economic, legal, mental, moral, nutritional, personal, physical, physiological, political and social * actual, bad, beneficial, catastrophic, deleterious, disastrous, devastating, fatal, good, harmful, important, intended, likely, natural, negative, positive, potential, primary, real, secondary, significant, special, strong, undesirable and weak

    Derived terms

    (noun phrases using effect) * after-effect, aftereffect * butterfly effect * domino effect * Doppler effect * greenhouse effect * in effect * knock-on effect * Nader effect * personal effects * ripple effect * side effect * snowball effect * special effect * sound effect * spoiler effect

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make or bring about; to implement.
    • The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.

    • Usage notes

    Effect' is often confused with “' affect ”. The latter is used to convey the influence over existing ideas, emotions and entities; the former indicates the manifestation of new or original ideas or entities: * “...new governing coalitions have effected major changes” indicates that major changes were made as a result of new governing coalitions. * “...new governing coalitions have affected major changes” indicates that before new governing coalitions, major changes were in place, and that the new governing coalitions had some influence over these existing changes.

    Related terms

    * effective * effectiveness * effectivity * effector * effectual * effectuate * efficacious * efficacity * efficacy * efficiency * efficient

    Statistics

    *

    External links

    * * English words affected by confusion 1000 English basic words ----

    consequence

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which follows something on which it depends; that which is produced by a cause.
  • *
    • The lobule margins, furthermore, are arched away from the lobe, with the consequence that (when fully inflated) the abaxial leaf surface forms the interior lining of the lobule.
  • A result of actions, especially if such a result is unwanted or unpleasant.
  • *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Michael Sivak
    • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= Will AC Put a Chill on the Global Energy Supply? , passage=Nevertheless, it is clear that the global energy demand for air-conditioning will grow substantially as nations become more affluent, with the consequences of climate change potentially accelerating the demand.}}
  • A proposition collected from the agreement of other previous propositions; any conclusion which results from reason or argument; inference.
  • Chain of causes and effects; consecution.
  • Importance with respect to what comes after.
  • The power to influence or produce an effect.
  • (label) Importance, value, or influence.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
    • , title= Bulgaria 0-3 England , passage=Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence .}}

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "consequence": social, legal, environmental, political, economic, personal, cultural, moral, unintended, undesirable, likely, probable, necessary, logical, natural, important, significant, bad, disastrous, devastating, fatal, catastrophic, harmful.

    Synonyms

    * value * moment * rank * distinction * repercussion

    Related terms

    * consequential

    See also

    * causality * effect * impact

    Verb

    (consequenc)
  • To threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour.
  • * 1998 , Terry M. Levy, Michael Orlans, Attachment, trauma, and healing
    • The goal of consequencing is to teach the child a lesson that leads to positive choices and behaviors. The goal of punishment is to inflict pain and seek revenge. Angry parenting is punitive and ineffectual.
  • * 2001 , Betty Bedard-Bidwell, Hand in Hand (page 117)
    • These behaviours are not acceptable within a classroom setting and often result in the child being consequenced or removed from class.

    External links

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