reverting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reverting to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in the context of returning to a previous state or action. Example: After trying different strategies, the company decided to revert to its previous marketing approach.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Subconsciously, they're about reverting to childhood.

Independent

I was reverting to old habits.

The New York Times

I kept on reverting to pizza.

Independent

"Many are reverting to prayer".

The New York Times

So I'm reverting to my mum's rules.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I started reverting to my old ways.

The Guardian

And I was reverting to gospelly stuff.

The Guardian - Music

I am reverting to my past idea — refugee relocation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What would be the consequences of reverting to older practices?

The New York Times - Books

Then he tried reverting to successful stages of his career.

The New York Times - Arts

The FARC has changed strategy, reverting to guerrilla warfare.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reverting to" when you want to clearly indicate a return to a previous state, practice, or policy after a change or deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "reverting to" when you mean "resorting to". "Reverting to" implies a return to something familiar, while "resorting to" suggests using something as a last option in desperation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reverting to" is that of a prepositional phrase that often acts as an adverbial modifier. It describes how an action is performed, specifically by returning to a prior state. Ludwig indicates that this phrase correctly and commonly appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reverting to" is a versatile and common expression used to describe a return to a previous state, behavior, or method. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts. Its usage spans across diverse fields, being particularly frequent in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While semantically related to phrases like "returning to" and "falling back on", "reverting to" specifically implies a deliberate return after a change or deviation. When writing, ensure you're not confusing it with "resorting to", which carries a different connotation. To enhance clarity, use "reverting to" when you wish to clearly state a return to a previous state, practice, or policy after a change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning to

Emphasizes the act of going back to a prior condition, similar to "reverting to" but with a slightly different connotation.

going back to

A more informal way of expressing a return to a previous state.

falling back on

Suggests a reliance on something as a backup or alternative.

resorting to

Indicates turning to something, often when other options have failed.

returning to the fold

Specifically implies reintegration or rejoining a group or system.

relapsing into

Suggests a return to a negative or undesirable state.

backsliding into

Similar to 'relapsing into', implying a moral or ethical decline.

regressing to

Implies a return to an earlier stage of development or behavior.

changing back to

Highlights the act of changing from one state to another and then back again.

switching back to

Similar to 'changing back to', but often used in the context of systems or technologies.

FAQs

What does "reverting to" mean?

"Reverting to" means returning to a previous state, practice, or condition. It implies a change has occurred, followed by a return to the original situation.

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

You can use "reverting to" to describe a return to a previous action or situation. For example: "After trying a new strategy, the team is "reverting to" their original plan."

What can I say instead of "reverting to"?

You can use alternatives like "returning to", "going back to", or "falling back on" depending on the specific context.

Is "reverting to" formal or informal?

"Reverting to" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific context and audience when choosing between ""reverting to"" and alternative phrases.