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TOEIC Link Part 5: adverse versus averse

Adverse describes conditions that are unfavorable or harmful; averse describes a person who is unwilling or strongly opposed to something. They sound close and both suggest something negative, but adverse modifies circumstances while averse modifies people (usually with "to"), so Part 5 uses the pair to check whether you match the word to what it describes.

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TOEIC Link Part 5: adverse versus averse

Adverse and averse differ by a single letter and both carry a negative flavor, yet they point in opposite directions. Adverse describes unfavorable or harmful conditions; averse describes a person who is unwilling or opposed. Because they look and sound alike, Part 5 can drop the wrong one into a blank and reward a reader who feels the negativity without checking what the word is attached to. For another pair separated by a single sound, see eminent versus imminent.

The core rule: conditions versus attitude

  • adverse (adjective) = unfavorable, harmful, or working against you, describing conditions or effects. The flight was delayed by adverse weather. / The drug had few adverse effects.
  • averse (adjective) = unwilling or strongly opposed, describing a person's attitude, almost always followed by to. She is averse to taking financial risks. / He is not averse to hard work.

The clue is what the word modifies. Adverse attaches to things and situations — weather, conditions, effects, reactions. Averse attaches to people and their feelings, and it nearly always brings to with it.

Why Part 5 likes this pair

The words fill the same adjective slot, so the surrounding words — especially a following to — usually decide the answer.

The company reported strong sales despite __ economic conditions.

The blank modifies conditions, so the answer is adverse — unfavorable circumstances.

Many older investors are __ to sudden changes in strategy.

Here the blank describes people's attitude and is followed by to, so averse is required.

Spotting the clue in the structure

Ask whether the word describes a situation or a person's willingness:

  • It describes unfavorable conditions or harmful effects → choose adverse (adverse weather, adverse reaction, adverse impact).
  • It describes a person who is unwilling or opposed, usually with to → choose averse (averse to risk, not averse to trying).

A quick test settles most items: if the word is followed by to and points at someone's feelings, you want averse; if it modifies a condition or outcome, you want adverse. For another pair where the following word decides the answer, see principal versus principle.

Quick self-check

  1. Construction stopped because of __ weather over the weekend. (adverse — unfavorable conditions)
  2. The manager is __ to signing contracts without legal review. (averse — unwilling, followed by to)

Takeaway

If the blank describes unfavorable or harmful conditions, you need adverse. If it describes a person who is unwilling or opposed — and especially if to follows — you need averse. Decide whether the sentence is talking about a situation or an attitude, and the two near-twins stop competing. For a related pair decided by meaning rather than spelling, see complement versus compliment.