The spelling of the phrase "be consequent on" may seem confusing at first glance. However, a closer look at the word's phonetic transcription in IPA (bɪ ˈkɒnsɪkwənt ɒn) reveals that it accurately reflects its pronunciation. The stress is on the second syllable of "consequent," while the final syllable of "consequent" and the first syllable of "on" are both reduced in pronunciation. With this key understanding, one can confidently spell and use "be consequent on" in their writing.
"Be consequent on" refers to a cause-and-effect relationship or a logical and natural outcome resulting from a specific action or event. It indicates that a particular consequence or outcome is directly or indirectly caused by something else. The phrase often implies that the consequence is a logical or reasonable result based on the circumstances or actions involved.
When an event or action "is consequent on" another, it means that the first event or action is a direct result or logical progression of the second one. For example, if a bird's nest falls from a tree, it can be said that the nest falling to the ground is consequent on the bird building the nest in the tree. The action of building the nest leads to the nest eventually falling, making it the consequence of the bird's earlier action.
This phrase is commonly used in various contexts, such as in discussions of cause and effect, logical reasoning, or the progression of events. It helps to establish a clear connection between actions and their outcomes. Understanding the notion of "being consequent on" aids in comprehending the relationship between different events or behaviors and recognizing the logical flow between them.