What Does "result in" Mean?
- Meaning: The phrasal verb "result in" means to cause something to happen or to have a particular outcome. It establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship where the subject is the cause and the object is the final effect.
- Compositional vs. Semi-idiomatic: It is semi-idiomatic. While the word "result" hints at an outcome, the specific combination with the preposition "in" creates a fixed functional unit that acts as a transitive verb.
- Register: Neutral to formal. It is widely used in academic, journalistic, and professional writing, though it is also perfectly acceptable in standard spoken English.
How to Use It
- Grammatical pattern: [Subject/Cause] + result in + [Object/Effect]. The object is typically a noun or a gerund phrase.
- Typical objects: Common objects include nouns representing outcomes, such as changes, death, failure, success, injuries, or improvements.
- Separability: This is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot place the object between "result" and "in" (e.g., you cannot say "resulted the crash in").
- What sounds unnatural: Using "result in" when the object is the cause rather than the effect (this is the most common error). Also, pairing it with the wrong preposition, such as "result to" or "result with," is grammatically incorrect.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from result in on Ludwig.guru.
"This condition will eventually result in blindness." — britannica.com
"Convictions can result in prison sentences." — nytimes.com
"Ageing eggs may result in abnormal embryos." — bbc.com
"This could result in unexpected tax consequences." — forbes.com
"Future projects will result in numerous changes." — wikipedia.org
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| lead to |
Very common and neutral; suggests a sequence of events leading to a result. |
| bring about |
Often used when the subject is an active agent or a specific action. |
| cause |
More direct and concise; used when the link between cause and effect is certain. |
| culminate in |
Formal; used when the result is the final point of a long process. |
| give rise to |
Formal; often used for the beginning of a new situation or problem. |
| trigger |
Used when a small event causes a large or sudden reaction. |
Common Mistakes
- Confusion with 'result from': Learners frequently confuse it with 'result from', using it to describe the cause rather than the effect. Remember: [Cause] result in [Effect], but [Effect] result from [Cause].
- Wrong Preposition: Using "result to" (likely confused with "lead to") is a frequent error. In English, the correct collocation for outcomes is always result in.
- Separability: Attempting to split the verb and preposition (e.g., "This will result quickly in death") is generally avoided; the adverb should ideally come before the verb or after the object.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Meaning |
Grammatical Pattern |
Register |
| result in |
To cause a particular outcome |
[Cause] + result in + [Noun/Effect] |
Neutral to Formal |
FAQs
Can I separate the word result from the word in?
No, result in is an inseparable phrasal verb. The object or outcome must always follow the preposition in directly, though an adverb may occasionally be placed before the entire phrase to modify it.
What is the difference between result in and lead to?
While both describe a cause-and-effect relationship, result in focuses strictly on the final outcome. In contrast, lead to often implies a progression or a path of events that eventually reaches a specific destination or conclusion.
How do I know whether to use result in or result from?
Use result in when the subject is the cause (e.g., "Smoking results in cancer"). Use result from when the subject is the effect (e.g., "Cancer results from smoking"); learners frequently confuse these two, reversing the logic of the sentence.