It’s time for “Confusing Words of the Week” where I take a set of two or three words that get confused and give you definitions and try to give you a memory trick to help you remember when to use which word. If you have words that confuse you, use the Ask PTB tab on the website or send an email to [email protected] and they may appear here soon!
This week’s words are:
- adverse – harmful; hostile; unfavorable
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- They expected an adverse reaction to the change in the PTO policy.
- averse – opposed (to)
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- He was averse to having kale on the menu.
Memory tips:
- adverse – since the difference is the letter “d” being included in this word, I would think of “dang,” “dynamite,” or another “d” word that makes you think of being on the verge of being harmful.
- averse – think of “vice versa” or opposites so it is opposed to
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Maybe that should read, “They expected an adverse reaction to the change in the PTO policy?”
You are correct. It has been fixed. Thank you!