averse to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "averse to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a strong dislike or opposition to something. Example: "She is averse to taking risks in her investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dude's averse to cuts".

The New York Times - Books

They are averse to cheating.

The New York Times - Sports

Other Chinese companies are averse to publicity.

The New York Times

Pintard wasn't averse to speculation, though.

The New Yorker

Men are notoriously averse to shopping.

The New York Times

Mr. Hock was averse to renting.

The New York Times

She was not averse to the spotlight.

The New York Times - Sports

Was modern art averse to comedy?

Independent

I'm not averse to that.

The Guardian

They're highly averse to it.

The Guardian - Tech

Herbal gerbils: averse to nicotine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "averse to" when you want to express a strong dislike or reluctance towards something, ensuring that the object of aversion is clearly defined.

Common error

Avoid confusing "averse to", which means having a strong dislike, with "adverse effects", which refers to negative consequences or impacts. For example, "He is averse to public speaking" is different from "The medication had adverse effects".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "averse to" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun and expressing a feeling of dislike or opposition. Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe someone's attitude toward a particular action or thing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "averse to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong dislike or reluctance. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use, primarily within news and media contexts. When using "averse to", ensure you are clearly defining what the subject is averse to, and be mindful of potential confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "adverse effects". You can use alternatives such as "reluctant to", "disinclined to", or "opposed to" to diversify your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unwilling to

A straightforward expression of not wanting to do something.

Disinclined to

Suggests a lack of motivation or enthusiasm towards something.

Hesitant to

Similar to reluctant, but may imply more uncertainty.

Reluctant to

Indicates a hesitance or unwillingness to do something, often due to fear or doubt.

Opposed to

Implies active resistance or disagreement with something.

Resistant to

Indicates a tendency to fight against or avoid something.

Antipathetic to

Indicates a deep-seated dislike or aversion.

Loath to

Expresses a strong feeling of disgust or unwillingness.

Against doing

Expresses being in disagreement or opposition to an action.

Not keen on

Informal way of saying you do not like something.

FAQs

How to use "averse to" in a sentence?

Use "averse to" when you want to express a strong dislike or opposition to something. For example, "She is "averse to taking risks" in her investments".

What can I say instead of "averse to"?

You can use alternatives like "reluctant to", "disinclined to", or "opposed to" depending on the context.

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

No, the correct preposition to use with "averse" is "to". "Averse of" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "averse to".

What is the difference between "averse to" and "adverse to"?

"Averse to" means having a strong dislike or opposition to something, while "adverse to" is less common and often used incorrectly. It's better to use "detrimental to" or "harmful to" instead of "adverse to".