# consequent

/ˈkɑnsəkwənt/ (US) · /kˈɒnsɪkwənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consequent
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. following as a result

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

happening as a direct result of something that occurred before.

For teachers: following as a logical or natural effect; resulting from a specific cause.

- The heavy rain and the consequent flooding caused many people to leave their homes.
- The sudden collapse of the bank and the consequent panic in the markets led to a decade of economic stagnation.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. geology/streams

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a river that flows in the same direction as the original slope of the land.

For teachers: denoting a stream or river whose course is determined by the original slope and structure of the land surface.

- The consequent stream followed the natural dip of the mountain side.
- Geologists identified the river as a consequent stream because its path aligned perfectly with the initial tectonic tilt of the plateau.

Usage: Used specifically in geomorphology.

### 3. logic/if-then

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

the second part of an 'if-then' statement.

For teachers: the second half of a hypothetical proposition, representing the result that follows if the antecedent is true.

- In the sentence 'If it rains, the ground gets wet,' the consequent is 'the ground gets wet.'
- The philosopher argued that while the antecedent was clearly false, the logical validity of the consequent remained intact within the formal system.

Usage: Commonly paired with 'antecedent' in formal logic.

### 4. mathematical ratios

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the second number in a ratio.

For teachers: the second term of a mathematical ratio, such as 'b' in the ratio 'a:b'.

- If the ratio is three to one, then one is the consequent.
- To solve the proportion, the student had to multiply the antecedent of the first ratio by the consequent of the second.

## Examples

- The heavy rain and consequent flooding closed the roads.
- The factory closed down, and the consequent loss of jobs affected the entire local economy.
- The sudden increase in interest rates led to a sharp decline in consumer spending and a consequent slowdown in the national housing market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.