Adverse vs Averse
adverse
unfavorable/harmful
averse
opposed/reluctant
How to tell them apart
adverse has the extra D for Damaging conditions (adverse weather). Averse = a person's Attitude of being opposed. Things are adverse; people are averse.
Test yourself
Which word fits from context? Pick one, then reveal the answer. This is exactly how the GRE tests these pairs.
Question 1
The prolonged drought and unrelenting heat created conditions that devastated crop yields across the entire farming region that season.
Choose: adverse or averse
Show answer
Answer: adverse
"devastated crop yields" marks the conditions as unfavorable/harmful = adverse; averse (opposed) cannot describe weather conditions.
Question 2
Deeply to public speaking, she declined the keynote invitation and instead submitted her remarks in writing to the committee.
Choose: adverse or averse
Show answer
Answer: averse
"____ to public speaking" plus "declined" signals reluctance/opposition = averse; adverse does not mean reluctant and does not take this construction.
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