loathing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loathing to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a strong dislike or aversion to doing something, but it is not a standard construction. Example: "I find myself loathing to attend the meeting, as I know it will be unproductive."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

His reviews of the opposing players run the gamut from loathing to hate.

The New York Times - Sports

As supporting characters in the play, each is connected to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, whose relationship is traced from loathing to deep friendship.

The New York Times - Sports

Who can doubt that Eastwood's shift from loathing to compassion was an oblique rejection of the endless American rancor over immigration?

The New Yorker

The only obstacle to happily-ever-after is Nancy's older son, John-John (Malik Hammond), who takes an instant loathing to Benjamin.

The New York Times

Writing to a friend in November 1963, he used the phrase "fear and loathing" to describe how he felt at the assassination of President John F Kennedy.

The Guardian

The problem I face now is loathing to work sitting down.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

On the other hand, it is not good news that the Democrats seem to have shifted from loathing him to appraising realistic alternatives to him.

The Economist

One that begins with loathing, moves to admiration and respect and ultimately to deep, brotherly friendship?

The New York Times

He apparently possesses enough self-loathing to deliver the talking points of white supremacy from a non-white mouth.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the hard-nosed correspondent Pierre Peders, reduced to doing puff pieces on soap stars, he takes self-loathing to a new low.

The Guardian - Film

It's not as if the city is without its own hazards, from rigid social expectations to poverty, self-loathing to homophobic violence.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "loathing to" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "averse to", "reluctant to", or "disinclined to" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing. For example, instead of "I am loathing to attend the meeting", write "I am reluctant to attend the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "to" directly after "loathing". "Loathing" typically functions as a noun or a verb. When expressing aversion, use "loathing" with prepositions like "of" or "for", or rephrase using adjectives like "averse". Incorrect: "He expressed loathing to the idea." Correct: "He expressed loathing for the idea" or "He was averse to the idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loathing to" functions as an attempt to express aversion or reluctance towards something. While the word "loathing" signifies intense dislike, the addition of "to" creates a grammatically non-standard construction. As Ludwig AI points out, this is not a correct construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "loathing to" appears in various online sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. It's an attempt to express strong dislike or aversion, but is better replaced with alternatives such as "averse to" or "reluctant to". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but should be avoided in formal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness. Using alternatives ensures your writing is both precise and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

averse to

Indicates a strong feeling of dislike or opposition toward something, similar to loathing but grammatically correct.

reluctant to

Expresses unwillingness or hesitation to do something, conveying a milder form of aversion.

disinclined to

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or willingness, similar to reluctant but slightly more formal.

unwilling to

Directly states a lack of willingness, providing a clear and simple alternative.

hesitant to

Implies a pause or delay due to uncertainty or reluctance, conveying a sense of caution.

resistant to

Indicates opposition or a tendency to push back against something, suggesting a stronger form of reluctance.

opposed to

Expresses direct opposition, indicating a firm stance against something.

antipathy toward

Denotes a deep-seated feeling of aversion or dislike, emphasizing the emotional aspect.

detestation for

Signifies intense dislike or hatred, conveying a strong negative emotion.

abhorrence of

Implies a feeling of revulsion or disgust, representing the strongest form of aversion.

FAQs

What does "loathing to" mean?

While not grammatically standard, "loathing to" is sometimes used to express a strong dislike or aversion towards something. However, it's better to use phrases like "averse to" or "reluctant to".

Is it correct to say "loathing to"?

No, it is not considered grammatically correct. It is more appropriate to use alternatives such as "averse to", "disinclined to", or express the sentiment differently.

What are some alternatives to "loathing to" that I can use in my writing?

Several alternatives can replace "loathing to", including "reluctant to", "averse to", "unwilling to", or expressing a general "dislike of".

How can I properly use "loathing" in a sentence?

Use "loathing" as a noun with prepositions like "for" or "of", such as "He felt a deep loathing for the task". Or use an adjective such as "averse", as in, "He was averse to the task".