Difference between revisions of "Adverse - averse"
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Don't confuse these two words. If you do, [[spellchecker]]s will let you get away with it. Their meanings are not very far apart, but should not be confused. | Don't confuse these two words. If you do, [[spellchecker]]s will let you get away with it. Their meanings are not very far apart, but should not be confused. | ||
| − | * '''adverse''' means, roughly, 'contrary', 'against' or 'unfavourable'. If you have '''adverse''' wind, it is blowing in your face; '''adverse''' fortune is bad luck; and '''adverse''' effects are those you don't want. '''Adverse''' is an [[adjective]] used to describe external things like weather or chance or results. | + | * '''adverse''' means, roughly, 'contrary', 'against' or 'unfavourable'. If you have '''adverse''' wind, it is blowing in your face; '''adverse''' fortune is bad luck; and '''adverse''' effects are those you don't want. '''Adverse''' is an [[adjective]] used to describe <u>external</u> things like weather or chance or results. |
| − | * '''averse''' on the other hand is used to describe an ''internal'' state of mind. "I am '''averse''' to your going," says the jealous father; "The politician found himself '''averse''' to telling the truth about his relationship in public." | + | * '''averse''' on the other hand is used to describe an ''<u>internal</u>'' state of mind. "I am '''averse''' to your going," says the jealous father; "The politician found himself '''averse''' to telling the truth about his relationship in public." It means 'opposed [to]', 'disinclined', 'disliking', 'against'. It is often found in the construction (a [[litotes]]) "I am not averse to [e.g. another drink]." |
| + | ::You may also like to see AWE's advice on [[adversary]]. | ||
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| + | [[category:malapropisms]] | ||
| + | [[category:spellchecker]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:31, 5 November 2016
Don't confuse these two words. If you do, spellcheckers will let you get away with it. Their meanings are not very far apart, but should not be confused.
- adverse means, roughly, 'contrary', 'against' or 'unfavourable'. If you have adverse wind, it is blowing in your face; adverse fortune is bad luck; and adverse effects are those you don't want. Adverse is an adjective used to describe external things like weather or chance or results.
- averse on the other hand is used to describe an internal state of mind. "I am averse to your going," says the jealous father; "The politician found himself averse to telling the truth about his relationship in public." It means 'opposed [to]', 'disinclined', 'disliking', 'against'. It is often found in the construction (a litotes) "I am not averse to [e.g. another drink]."
- You may also like to see AWE's advice on adversary.
