reverse to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reverse to" is not commonly used in standard written English. It may be used in specific contexts, such as technical or legal language, but it is generally better to use more standard expressions. An example could be: "We need to reverse to the previous version of the document." Alternative expressions include "revert to" and "return to."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mirrored panels reverse to leather.

The New York Times

There is a reverse to this.

The Guardian

His best play was on a reverse to Arnaz Battle.

The New York Times

I did things in reverse to the general public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Study after study has shown the reverse to be true, says Sorace.

The Guardian

It is signed with the pseudonym Mara and dedicated, on the reverse, to "Bartoli con amor".

The Guardian - Arts

Ed Miliband says he wants to do a Thatcher in reverse: to change the British soul.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, your reporting was in complete reverse to my positions on three subjects.

The Guardian - Opinion

But then Jacksonville got cute -- a fancy reverse to receiver Alvis Whitted -- and Garnes was there.

The New York Times - Sports

The percentage plummeted in the next set, as Safin responded in reverse to momentum.

The New York Times - Sports

The captain was trying to reverse to get out of its way when it happened.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reverse to", ensure the context clearly indicates a change in direction or a return to a previous state. Be mindful that it may sound less formal than alternatives like "revert to".

Common error

Avoid using "reverse to" in highly formal or academic writing; consider using "revert to" or other more formal synonyms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reverse to" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, often indicating a change in direction or a return to a previous state. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is used to describe physical actions and abstract processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

29%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reverse to" functions as a phrasal verb and is used to indicate a change in direction, undoing a process, or returning to a previous state. Ludwig AI notes the phrase is "Acceptable", though not typical in formal English. While widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "revert to" in academic or professional settings. The most frequent sources employing this phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revert to

Indicates a return to a previous state or condition, similar to reversing a process.

go back to

Suggests returning to a prior situation or action, implying a reversal of progress.

turn back to

Implies a change in direction or focus, akin to reversing one's course.

invert

Signifies a complete reversal or turning upside down, both literally and figuratively.

transpose to

Denotes a change in order or position, implying a reversal of arrangement.

undo

Suggests canceling or reversing the effects of a previous action.

counteract

Implies acting against something to neutralize or reverse its effect.

invalidate

Means to make something void or reverse its legal effect.

rescind

Suggests officially revoking or reversing a decision or law.

repeal

Specifically refers to reversing or revoking a law or statute.

FAQs

What does "reverse to" mean?

"Reverse to" means to change direction, undo a process, or return to a previous state or condition. It is similar to "revert to".

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

You can use "reverse to" to describe actions like "The captain tried to reverse to avoid the collision" or situations like "The trend may reverse to its original state".

Which is more formal, "reverse to" or "revert to"?

Revert to is generally considered more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "reverse to" may be used in more casual contexts.

What are some alternatives to "reverse to"?

Alternatives to "reverse to" include "go back to", "turn back to", or simply "undo", depending on the specific context.