Word
ensue
Phoneticsen·sue, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪnˈsu/
UK/ɛnsjˈuː/
Definition
v. to happen after another event, especially because of it.
v. to occur afterward as a direct consequence or result of a preceding event.
Examples
“A long silence followed, and then a loud argument ensued.”
“After the referee made the controversial decision, a heated debate ensued between the two coaches.”
“The sudden collapse of the regional bank caused widespread panic, and a series of emergency meetings ensued as government officials scrambled to prevent a total market failure.”
Examples
simple
“A long silence followed, and then a loud argument ensued.”
contextual
“After the referee made the controversial decision, a heated debate ensued between the two coaches.”
complex
“The sudden collapse of the regional bank caused widespread panic, and a series of emergency meetings ensued as government officials scrambled to prevent a total market failure.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ensue” in context.
Verb
01. ensued from the conflict
“Many of the current economic problems ensued from the conflict in the region.”
verb + prep + noun
02. ensued immediately
“A heated debate ensued immediately after the proposal was read aloud.”
verb + adv
Noun
03. chaos ensued
“When the power went out in the crowded stadium, absolute chaos ensued.”
noun + verb
04. panic ensued
“As soon as the fire alarm rang, panic ensued among the office workers.”
noun + verb
05. silence ensued
“After she made the shocking announcement, a long and awkward silence ensued.”
noun + verb
06. violence ensued
“The protest was peaceful at first, but violence ensued after the police arrived.”
noun + verb
Usage
The verb is intransitive and cannot take a direct object; it is often used in the third person to describe events following a specific cause.
Pitfall
The argument ensued the meeting
The argument ensued after the meeting
Ensue is intransitive; it cannot be followed directly by the event that caused it. Use 'after' or let the context imply the sequence.
Real-World Examples
“A struggle ensues and the man is pulled down, with his trousers appearing to fall down, before he is arrested by officers in the garden of the property.” “The rushed renovation that ensued – and the squabbling over whether the peeling liner was the result of vandalism – led to charges against four suspects that were eventually dropped .” Etymology
From Old French ensu-, stem of some conjugated forms of ensuivre (“follow close upon, come afterward”) (French ensuivre), from Latin īnsequere, from īnsequi (“to pursue, follow, follow after; come next”), from in- (“upon”) (see in-) + sequi (“follow”) (see sequel).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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