revert to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revert to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate returning to a previous state, condition, or practice. Example: "If the new policy doesn't work, we may need to revert to the old system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Revert to two terms?

The New York Times

Profits revert to the state treasury.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I had to revert to traditional methods.

The Guardian - Travel

"Otherwise, everything would revert to his heirs".

The New York Times - Arts

The universe will revert to nothingness.

The New York Times - Science

So they revert to chronotype?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will revert to 57 percent next month.

The New York Times - Health

McMaster aimed to revert to tradition.

The New Yorker

They need to revert to type.

The Guardian - Sport

We should not revert to political positioning".

The New York Times

You tend to revert to old habits.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "revert to" when you want to indicate a return to a previous state or method, especially after a change or deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "revert to" when the intention is to improve or advance, as it implies going back to something less effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "revert to" is as a phrasal verb. It functions to indicate a return to a previous state, practice, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "revert to" is a phrasal verb that means to return to a previous state, practice, or belief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used. The phrase is suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone and appearing frequently in news, media, science, and formal business settings. When using "revert to", ensure it accurately reflects a return to something prior, and avoid redundant phrasing like "revert back to". Consider alternatives such as "return to" or "go back to" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to

Indicates a simple return to a prior condition or location, offering a more direct alternative.

go back to

Suggests a more casual and less formal return to something.

fall back on

Implies relying on something as a backup when other options fail.

return to the fold

Specifically implies going back and rejoin a certain group.

recur to

A more formal way of saying to resort something or someone

relapse into

Highlights a negative return to a former state, often implying a decline.

restore to

Implies actively bringing something back to its original state.

resume

Indicates a restart of something after an interruption.

recapitulate

Repeats principal events and summarize them.

re-establish

Suggests that you can establish or reinstate something to a certain level or stage.

FAQs

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

You can use "revert to" to describe returning to a previous state, for example: "If the experiment fails, we will "revert to" the original method".

What are some alternatives to "revert to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "return to", "go back to", or "fall back on".

Is it correct to say "revert back to"?

Saying "revert back to" is redundant. The word "revert" already implies a return, so using "back" is unnecessary. It's better to simply say "revert to".

What's the difference between "revert to" and "adapt to"?

"Revert to" means to return to a previous state or method, while "adapt to" means to adjust to a new condition or environment. They have opposite meanings.