Guide 100 / 200 5 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “result”
Five words for "result" that sharpen the shape of the outcome.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Result" is neutral and fine — but writers can gain precision with "outcome" (often a judgment), "consequence" (usually negative), "upshot" (the practical effect), "output" (what a process produced).
ii · The swaps5 ways
- 01Outcome neutral
judged or evaluated result
The outcome of the vote was a narrow pass.
- 02Consequence neutral
follows from an action, often heavy
A consequence of the outage was a dip in trust.
- 03Output neutral
what a process produced
Review the quarterly output.
- 04Upshot neutral
the practical upshot of a situation
The upshot: we ship two weeks late.
- 05Finding formal
result of a study or review
The key finding of the audit.