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Inverse vs Reverse

Definitions​

  • ‘Inverse’ (adj) means ‘opposite in relation to something else’ (e.g. in position, direction, order, effect, etc).
  • ‘Reverse’ (adj) means ‘going in or turned towards the direction opposite to something else’.

What’s the difference between ‘inverse’ and ‘reverse’?​

Despite being very similar in meaning, these words tend to be used in different contexts.

  • A helpful tip is that ‘reverse’ has a spatial/physical motion connotation, and is typically used in a directional sense.
  • ‘Inverse’, on the other hand, means anything that is the opposite of something else. It is therefore much more versatile and commonly used across academic disciplines.
  • Both can be turned into a different word class: ‘inverse’ as a noun, and ‘reverse’ as a noun or a verb. This may add to the confusion as to which word should be used in what context.

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How they’re used​

Example sentences with ‘inverse’

  • A gas volume was found to be in inverse ratio to its pressure.
  • Studies have shown an inverse relationship between a healthy diet and heart disease.

Example sentences with ‘reverse’

  • As seen on the graph, the trend appears to be going in the reverse direction.
  • We observed that the block had begun its reverse motion.