reverse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "reverse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to change something back to a previous state and condition, or as an adjective to describe a situation where something has been changed back to a previous state and condition. For example, "The government reversed its decision on the new policy after public outcry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quite the reverse.

The New York Times

But the reverse is also true.

The New York Times - Arts

In a reverse of The Godfather, for Nick delivering in government, it's not just business and it is personal.

The Guardian - Opinion

I hope that their comments will further strengthen our longstanding call to reverse the overreach of these pieces of legislation.

The Guardian

As the Standard points out, the new YouGov also shows "a clear gender gap for Labour" of six points and almost the exact reverse for the Conservatives - a seven point gap favouring men.

The Guardian

In the meantime, the company's stock – publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange since it took a back-door approach to an initial public offering in January, acquiring an already-public mining company in what is known as a reverse takeover – offers US gold bugs with a taste for risk and adventure another way to join the party.

The Guardian - Money

The theatre's management has said it will have no choice but to close, although it is vehemently lobbying politicians in the hope they will reverse the decision and looking for an alternative funding pot in the hope that the theatre can be saved.

The Guardian

(One recent survey found that school pupils thought men taking their wives' surnames would demonstrate a "weak character" but the reverse would show women were "grown-up").

The Guardian - Books

However, Abdullah will be remembered as someone who survived the wave of change, propped up by "black gold", in his own kingdom by distributing largesse and repression and helped to reverse the prospect of democracy in the Arab world.

The Guardian

Plaid Cymru would reverse the 25% cut in staff started by the last Labour UK government".

The Guardian - Tech

The impact was immediate: stockmarkets jumped higher and the bond yields of Spain, and Italy, went swiftly into reverse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reverse" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being changed or undone. For example, "The court decided to "reverse" the previous ruling".

Common error

Avoid using "reverse" with prepositions that imply forward movement or progression. For example, instead of saying "reverse to the plan", use "revert to the plan" or "go back to the plan".

Linguistic Context

The word "reverse" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of changing something to its opposite state or direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can also serve as a noun or adjective, broadening its applicability across different grammatical contexts. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in varied scenarios, from reversing decisions to describing opposite situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reverse" is a versatile term functioning as a verb, noun, adjective, and adverb, indicating a change or inversion. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts. The word is frequently encountered in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific domains. While the term is widely used, paying attention to its prepositional usage can improve clarity and precision. Using "reverse" implies a change to a previous state and condition. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its applications, offering guidance on its correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn around

This alternative focuses on the physical action of changing direction, similar to one sense of "reverse".

undo

This verb specifically implies cancelling or negating a previous action, akin to reversing a decision.

invert

This suggests flipping something to its opposite state, like reversing the order of elements.

repeal

This term applies specifically to revoking a law or policy, a formal type of reversal.

rescind

This indicates the cancellation of an agreement, order, or decision, often with a legal connotation.

overturn

This implies invalidating or rejecting a previous judgment or decision.

revoke

This suggests officially retracting or cancelling something, like a license or permit.

counteract

This means to neutralize or offset the effects of something, indirectly reversing its impact.

neutralize

Implies rendering something ineffective or harmless, similar to reversing its active state.

nullify

To make legally void or ineffective; similar to reversing the legal standing of something.

FAQs

How can I use "reverse" in a sentence?

"Reverse" can be used as a verb (e.g., "They decided to reverse the decision"), a noun (e.g., "The reverse is also true"), or an adjective (e.g., "a reverse image"). The specific meaning depends on the context.

What are some alternatives to using "reverse"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "turn around", "undo", or "invert".

Which is correct: "reverse" the decision or "revert" the decision?

While both "reverse the decision" and "revert to the decision" are grammatically correct, they have slightly different meanings. "Reverse the decision" means to completely undo it, while "revert to the decision" implies returning to a previous decision after a change.

Is there a difference between "reverse" and "inverse"?

"Reverse" generally means to go in the opposite direction or undo something, while "inverse" specifically refers to something that is opposite in effect or nature. So, while their meanings overlap, they're not always interchangeable.