the situation is reversed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the situation is reversed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a situation in which the roles or conditions have been reversed. For example, you could say "When it comes to their living arrangements, the situation is reversed for John and his parents. Instead of his parents living with him, John now lives with them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now the situation is reversed.

The Economist

Here the situation is reversed.

The New Yorker

Today the situation is reversed.

The New York Times

In Japan, the situation is reversed.

The New Yorker

In the Sahel, the situation is reversed.

The New Yorker

In this show the situation is reversed.

The New York Times - Arts

The situation is reversed in my family.

The New York Times - Health

So, cooks: Say "Om,"and pretend the situation is reversed.

The New York Times

At the end of the play the situation is reversed.

The Guardian - Books

(I'm sure mine is, too, when the situation is reversed).

The New Yorker

But the situation is reversed at the state level.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the situation is reversed" to clearly indicate a change where the roles, conditions, or outcomes are now opposite of what they previously were. This phrase works best when there's a clear prior state to contrast with the current one.

Common error

Avoid using "the situation is reversed" without first establishing the initial situation. Readers need to understand what the original context was to appreciate the reversal. Without it, the phrase loses its impact and can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the situation is reversed" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating that a previous state has been inverted. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase clearly signals a change where original conditions now exist in an opposite state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the situation is reversed" is a versatile phrase used to denote a complete inversion of prior circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific papers. While used across a range of domains, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. The key to using this phrase effectively is ensuring that the initial context is clearly established, so the reversal is easily understood. Alternatives like "the tables are turned" or "roles are inverted" can provide stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the tables are turned

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey a reversal of fortune or power.

roles are inverted

Focuses specifically on the reversal of roles between parties.

the opposite is true

States a direct contradiction of a previous statement.

the converse holds

Emphasizes that the reverse of a given statement is also valid.

the order is changed

Highlights a change in sequence or arrangement.

the dynamic is flipped

Emphasizes an alteration in the relationship between elements.

conditions are exchanged

Focuses on the swapping of circumstances or terms.

the norm is upended

Implies that the usual standard or expectation has been overturned.

the relationship is transposed

Highlights that the connection has been switched or interchanged.

the inverse is applicable

Indicates that the contrary case is also relevant or valid.

FAQs

How can I use "the situation is reversed" in a sentence?

Use "the situation is reversed" to describe scenarios where roles or circumstances have become the opposite of what they were previously. For example, "Initially, the company was struggling, but now "the situation is reversed", and it's thriving."

What does "the situation is reversed" mean?

It means that the circumstances or roles that existed before are now in an opposite state. What was once true is no longer so, and the reverse is now the case.

What's the difference between "the situation is reversed" and "the tables are turned"?

"The situation is reversed" is a more literal description of a change in circumstances. "The tables are turned" is a more figurative expression, suggesting a shift in power or advantage.

Are there formal alternatives to "the situation is reversed"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "the converse is true", "roles are inverted", or "conditions are exchanged" in more formal contexts.