inverse to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inverse to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship where one quantity or concept is the opposite or reverse of another. Example: "The relationship between speed and travel time is inverse to each other; as speed increases, travel time decreases."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How about you, Mr. DeVito, arriving with wife RHEA PERLMAN, and exhibiting a personality exponentially inverse to your size.

The New York Times

Economic aid is the other side of diplomacy, inverse to the use of military force, and would increase western influence over the North.

The Guardian

Washington is the Jets resident mighty mouse, the smallest player on the field who routinely makes an impact inverse to his size.

The New York Times - Sports

In a proportion inverse to the seawall's great size, the seawall betokens a vulnerability the like of which is hard to find so far from a volcano.

The New Yorker

Inverse to the significant rise in agricultural production, more and more Australians are leaving rural and remote areas for the big cities and urban centres.

The Guardian

The inverse to the "12 Angry Men" scenario, of jurors being prejudiced against a lowlife under accusation, is that a jury would also have a harder time believing accusations brought by one.

The New Yorker

NICK PAUMGARTEN: People cite ad infinitum the George Plimpton remark that the quality of a sports literature is a direct inverse to the size of the ball used to play that sport.

The New Yorker

Gregory Bangs, the kidnap-and-ransom manager for Chubb Group, an American insurance company, said that patterns of kidnapping around the world are "almost inverse" to that of the global economy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Indeed, the emotional oppression of men, inverse to that of women, has kept men from fully knowing and actualizing their essential and deeply fulfilling role of father.

The New York Times

But as Mr. Lawton, of the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, warns, "the financial risk is inverse to the risk to reputation".

The New York Times

Over the last few years, the performance of Samsung has been roughly inverse to that of HTC, whose problems continue to deepen.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing mathematical or scientific relationships, ensure that using "inverse to" accurately reflects the quantitative relationship where one variable decreases as the other increases.

Common error

Avoid using "inverse to" when merely describing a difference or dissimilarity. The phrase specifically denotes a reverse relationship, not just any distinction. For simple differences, consider using "different from" or "distinct from" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inverse to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship of opposition or reversal between two entities or concepts. Ludwig examples demonstrate this in contexts ranging from economics to science, showcasing its role in establishing contrasting associations. It suggests that as one factor increases, the other decreases, or vice versa.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inverse to" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a relationship of opposition or reversal between two entities, often in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe contrasting associations. While similar phrases like "opposite of" or "contrary to" exist, "inverse to" specifically implies a quantitative or directly opposing relationship. Writers should ensure they're accurately conveying an inverse relationship rather than a simple difference when using this phrase. The authoritative sources that use this phrase most often are The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Guardian, Forbes and PlosOne.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite of

This alternative directly replaces "inverse to" with a simpler, more common expression of opposition.

contrary to

This phrase emphasizes a conflicting or opposing nature, similar to "inverse to".

in opposition to

This option highlights a direct contrast or resistance to something.

reverse of

This alternative focuses on the reversed order or direction, akin to an inverse relationship.

in contrast to

This highlights the differences between two things, placing them in opposition.

diametrically opposed to

This phrase stresses a complete and direct opposition.

at odds with

This emphasizes a state of disagreement or conflict, implying an inverse effect.

the antithesis of

This option indicates that something is the direct opposite or contrast.

reversely proportional to

This phrase is more specific to mathematical or scientific contexts where quantities change in opposite directions.

the converse of

This phrase is used to describe the reverse of a statement or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "inverse to" to describe relationships where two quantities change in opposite directions. For example, "The yield of a bond is inverse to its price: as the price goes down, the yield grows."

What phrases are similar to "inverse to"?

Alternatives include "opposite of", "contrary to", or "in contrast to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "inversely proportional to" instead of "inverse to"?

"Inversely proportional to" is more precise when describing mathematical relationships where one quantity increases as another decreases proportionally. While "inverse to" can work, "inversely proportional to" provides greater clarity in those cases.

When should I avoid using the phrase "inverse to"?

Avoid using "inverse to" if you simply mean "different from" or "distinct from". The term implies a specific type of relationship, where a change in one element directly causes an opposite change in another.