adverse to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adverse to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate opposition or aversion, and is often used in the context of a feeling or opinion - for example, "He was very adverse to the idea of giving up his car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But we wouldn't be adverse to it.

The New York Times - Style

But the clause is not unusually adverse to Countrywide either.

The New York Times

Brookline was not adverse to the odd moment of drama.

The Guardian - Sport

But he certainly wouldn't be adverse to more cash.

The Guardian - Arts

The women, still adverse to weights, are long and lean.

The New York Times - Style

"We're not adverse to a single large acquisition, neither are we adverse to multiple smaller transactions," Stuart Grant, the company's chief financial officer, said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

As a former youth academy coach he is particularly adverse to negativity around young players.

The Guardian - Sport

You might think that a price cut is per se not adverse to Wachovia.

The New York Times

Under Erisa, however, a fiduciary may have financial interests adverse to beneficiaries.

The New York Times

Packed with amateur preservationists, it is notoriously adverse to anything new.

The New York Times - Arts

For those adverse to the genre, though, look at it like this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adverse to" to clearly express opposition, aversion, or a negative impact. For instance, state "the new regulations are adverse to small businesses" to convey that the regulations negatively affect small businesses.

Common error

While "adverse" and "averse" are related, "adverse" typically describes something harmful or unfavorable, while "averse" describes a feeling of dislike. Avoid using "adverse" when you mean to express personal dislike; use "averse" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adverse to" functions as a predicative adjective, typically describing something that is harmful, unfavorable, or acting in opposition to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adverse to" is a versatile expression used to describe opposition, negativity, or harm. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, remember that "adverse" describes something harmful, while "averse" describes a personal feeling. Alternative phrases like ""opposed to"" or "unfavorable to" can be used to add variety. This makes "adverse to" a valuable phrase to understand and use effectively in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposed to

Direct synonym, focusing on active resistance or disagreement.

averse to

Synonym emphasizing personal dislike or reluctance.

resistant to

Highlights the act of withstanding or preventing something.

unfavorable to

Implies a lack of support or positive inclination.

hostile to

Suggests active antagonism or unfriendliness.

detrimental to

Focuses on the harmful or damaging effects.

prejudicial to

Highlights potential bias or unfairness.

inimical to

Emphasizes fundamental opposition or conflict.

counter to

Indicates direct opposition or contradiction.

not in favor of

States a lack of support or approval.

FAQs

How can I use "adverse to" in a sentence?

Use "adverse to" to indicate something harmful or unfavorable. For example, "The new policies are "detrimental to" our progress" or "He is "opposed to" any changes".

What is a good alternative to "adverse to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""opposed to"", "unfavorable to", or ""detrimental to"".

Is it correct to say "averse to" instead of "adverse to"?

While both words are related, "adverse" generally refers to something harmful, while "averse" refers to a feeling of dislike or opposition. Ensure you use the word that accurately reflects your intended meaning. For example, "I am "averse to" spicy food" expresses a personal dislike, while "The weather was "adverse to" our plans" indicates the weather negatively affected the plans.

What's the difference between "adverse to" and "contrary to"?

"Adverse to" indicates something harmful or unfavorable, while "contrary to" indicates something opposite or conflicting. For example, "The outcome was "adverse to" our expectations" suggests a negative result, while "His actions were "contrary to" our agreement" indicates a violation of the agreement.