What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
consequential
Example
The company's decision to lay off employees had consequential effects on the local economy. [consequential: adjective]
Example
The discovery of a new vaccine was a consequential breakthrough in medical research. [consequential: adjective]
significant
Example
The study found a significant correlation between smoking and lung cancer. [significant: adjective]
Example
The new policy had a significant impact on the company's profits. [significant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Significant is more commonly used than consequential in everyday language. Significant is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while consequential is less common and may be considered more formal or technical.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between consequential and significant?
Consequential is generally considered more formal or technical than significant. While significant can be used in both formal and informal contexts, consequential is more likely to be used in academic or professional settings.
