conseguenza

Conseguenza is an Italian noun meaning the result or outcome that follows from a cause. It designates the effect produced by an action, event, or condition and can refer to natural, social, economic, or legal results. The singular form is conseguenza and the plural is conseguenze. The term is widely used in everyday language as well as in technical or formal contexts.

Etymology and form: Conseguenza derives from Latin consecutio, from consequor “to follow.” The word shares cognates with languages that use a similar root for “consequence” and related ideas of what follows from something else. It is a feminine noun and forms plural consequenze.

Usage and domains: In ordinary speech, one speaks of le conseguenze di una decisione or delle azioni, meaning the outcomes or effects that follow. In philosophy and logic, conseguenza or conseguenza logica denotes a logical consequence: if a premise P implies a conclusion Q, then Q is a consequence of P. In law, politics, and ethics, the phrase conseguenze giuridiche or conseguenze etiche refers to the legal, moral, or social effects that arise from a given act, contract, or policy.

Examples: “La perdita è una conseguenza delle scelte aziendali.” “Quali saranno le conseguenze di questa norma?” “La legge prevede le conseguenze penali per chi viola l’accordo.” In scientific writing, authors may distinguish between causal consequences and incidental consequences as part of discussing results.

See also: consequence, conseguenza logica, conseguente.