ensue
/in'sju:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To happen or occur afterward or as a result: To follow as a consequence or in time. 2. To follow immediately afterward in time or sequence: To come after something, often as a logical or natural outcome.
Usage
The verb "ensue" describes an event or situation that happens after and often because of a previous event. It is typically used in formal or written contexts. The event that follows ("ensues") is usually a direct or logical consequence.
Examples
- As a result:
- If the dam breaks, a massive flood will ensue.
- After the controversial announcement, a heated public debate ensued.
- Following in time:
- A brief silence ensued before anyone answered.
- The initial shock passed, and a period of calm ensued.
Advanced Usage
- "Ensue from": To happen as a direct result or consequence of something.
- The legal complications ensued from the poorly written contract.
- "Ensue on/upon": (Less common, formal) To follow as a consequence of. This usage is now rare.
- The economic crisis ensued upon the collapse of the banking sector.
Variants and Related Words
- Ensuing (adjective): Happening or occurring afterward.
- In the ensuing days, the situation grew worse.
- Consequence (noun): A result or effect of an action or condition. This is a key related concept.
- Subsequent (adjective): Coming after something in time. This is a synonym for "ensuing" but does not imply causation.
Synonyms
- Follow: To come after in time or order. (Less specific about causation)
- Result: To occur as a consequence.
- Arise: To originate or stem from a source.
- Develop: To grow or cause to grow and become more mature or advanced.
Antonyms
- Precede: To come before something in time or order.
- Cause: To make something happen; the event that comes before.
- Prevent: To stop something from happening.
Related Phrases
- Chaos ensued: A common phrase indicating that disorder or confusion followed an event.
- When the lights went out, chaos ensued.
- A discussion ensued: A standard phrase indicating that a conversation began following a statement or event.
- After his question, a lively discussion ensued.
Verb
- issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
- result in tragedy