adversely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adversely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has a negative or harmful effect on a situation or condition. Example: "The new policy may adversely affect employee morale and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The results clearly demonstrate that low-income families with children are the main family group to be adversely impacted by policy changes since the last election.

The Guardian

Seymour Pierce analyst Kevin Lapwood said: Despite the recent senior management departures and profits warnings among the peer group (Cape), which have been received nervously and adversely affected the share price, the Amec statement was in-line with expectations and underpins our 2012 estimates.

The Guardian - Business

One of the differences was that swine flu appeared to adversely affect under-45s.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, the mental scars and the afflictions of those who have been injured, those whose homes have been destroyed and those whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by these wholly unacceptable events, may never fully heal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Michael Gove's "reforms" would reinstate the single end-of-course exam, with no coursework, which must adversely effect some female students.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not only can caffeine adversely affect your mood and energy levels, it can also inhibit your body's absorption of the beneficial nutrients in food.

The Guardian - Books

One of the stories looks at how marriages had been adversely affected, and how women were being forced back into their traditional roles in the home by the demands of their husbands' shifts in the mines.

The Guardian

Lamb, who promotes himself as a champion for mental health awareness, was responding to tweets from the Campaign to Save Mental Health Services in Norfolk & Suffolk which called him duplicitous and said it had encountered many people who were adversely affected by cuts to mental health services under the Liberal-Conservative coalition.

The Guardian

They have compromised secrecy, destroyed anonymity, and adversely affected the autonomy of billions of people.

The Guardian - Tech

At Seymour Pierce, Kevin Lapwood had a similar theme: Despite the recent senior management departures and profits warnings among the peer group (Cape), which have been received nervously and adversely affected the share price, the Amec statement was in-line with expectations and underpins our 2012 estimates.

The Guardian - Business

The Australian National Retailers Associationn said that the increase would adversely affect the sector.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adversely", clearly state what is being affected to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The economy was affected adversely", specify "The economy was adversely affected by the new regulations."

Common error

Avoid confusing "adversely", which means in a harmful way, with "aversely", which means having a strong dislike or opposition to something. "The budget cuts adversely affected public services" (correct) vs. "He reacted aversely to the proposal" (correct).

Linguistic Context

The adverb "adversely" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or condition has a negative or detrimental effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often used to describe the manner in which something is affected in a negative way. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "adversely" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term to indicate a negative or detrimental impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify what is being "adversely" affected. Common errors involve confusion with "aversely", which carries a different meaning. Related phrases include "detrimentally" and "negatively", offering nuanced alternatives. With its widespread use and consistent application, mastering "adversely" contributes to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detrimentally

This word suggests a more lasting or significant negative impact than "adversely".

negatively

A more general term indicating an unfavorable outcome or effect, lacking the intensity of "adversely".

unfavorably

Suggests disapproval or a lack of support, rather than a direct negative consequence, in contrast to "adversely".

harmfully

Focuses specifically on the damage or injury caused, while "adversely" can refer to less tangible negative effects.

prejudicially

Implies bias or unfairness leading to negative consequences, a nuance not present in "adversely".

deleteriously

A more formal and less common term for causing harm or damage, unlike the more widely used "adversely".

inauspiciously

Suggests bad luck or unfavorable circumstances, rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship implied by "adversely".

to a disadvantage

This phrase indicates being placed in an unfavorable position, subtly different from the direct impact of "adversely".

with ill effect

Emphasizes the negative consequences or outcome, whereas "adversely" focuses on the manner of impact.

to the detriment of

This phrase highlights the loss or damage suffered by something or someone, differing from the broader negative effect suggested by "adversely".

FAQs

How can I use "adversely" in a sentence?

Use "adversely" to describe how something is negatively affected. For instance, "The new policy may "adversely affect" employee morale" or "The weather "adversely impacted" crop yields."

What are some alternatives to "adversely"?

You can use alternatives such as "detrimentally", "negatively", or "unfavorably" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something was "adversely impacted"?

Yes, ""adversely impacted"" is a commonly used phrase, especially in business and news contexts, to describe a negative effect or influence. It is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

What is the difference between "adversely" and "aversely"?

"Adversely" means in a harmful or unfavorable way, while "aversely" means having a feeling of repugnance or strong disinclination. They have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable. For example, "The decision "adversely affected" the company's profits" versus "He reacted aversely to the suggestion".