Word Confusion: Adverse versus Averse

Posted October 29, 2012 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

Revised as of
29 Aug 2022

I have an aversion to adverse writing and that includes the spelling and misuse of words.

I want authors to succeed. I want them to write an excellent story whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. I want authors to look good. Part of looking good is using words correctly hence these Word Confusions, LOL.

Seriously, I do enjoy writing these up. Sometimes they’re words that confuse me, and I want a quick place where I can go check it out, lessen my confusion. Sometimes, I’m not at all confused, and yet I keep coming across other peoples’ confusions. Sometimes, I’m simply curious.

I adore words and the myriad ways in which they can create atmosphere, set a scene, or build a mood.

Word Confusions . . .

. . . started as my way of dealing with a professional frustration with properly spelled words that were out of context in manuscripts I was editing as well as books I was reviewing. It evolved into a sharing of information with y’all. I’m hoping you’ll share with us words that have been a bête noire for you from either end.

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Adverse	Averse
Adverse Possession Legal Definition is Jakemartin206’s own work under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons.	Afghan National Police Trainees Acting as Rioters Flee From Their Fellow ANP Trainees by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan was uploaded by russavia ((110910-F-HS721-275) under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license, via Wikimedia Commons. — These rioters seem to be averse to the police.
Part of Grammar:
Adjective	Adjective [U.S.] averse to [British] averse from
Usually applied to situations, conditions, or events . . . not to people Preventing success or development Harmful Unfavorable Be in opposition to something Hostile	Usually applied to feelings Strong dislike of Be in opposition to something Hostile
Examples:
Adverse weather conditions apply throughout the area. I take an adverse position to war, poverty, and cruelty. The dry weather has had an adverse effect on crops.	The CIA director is not averse to secrecy. Mary is averse to flying. The bank’s approach has been risk-averse.
Derivatives:
Adverb: adversely Noun: adverseness	Adverb: aversely Noun: aversion, averseness
History of the Word:
Late Middle English from the Old French advers, from the Latin adversus meaning against or opposite. It’s also a past participle of advertere from ad- (to) + vertere (to turn).	Late 16th century from the Latin aversus meaning turned away from and a past participle of avertere.

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Word Confusions on its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

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