Adverse, although not recognized as a formal word, can be used relatively formally. It is because of the fact that adverse is a word with low frequency of use.
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Video of Adverse – Formal Word
There are two ways to
pronounce the word ADVERSE.
Both American and British English accept the two ways. You can check the IPA here:
/ˈædvɜːs/
/ədˈvɜːs/
As for the meaning of the word,
it is quite easy to understand. ADVERSE is an adjective with a meaning of
“harmful, or unpleasant, or not favorable”.
In this sense, user will put ADVERSE BEFORE A NOUN to indicate the negativity of a noun. Some examples of the word:
They fear it could have an adverse effect on global financial markets.
Planes are being kept on the ground because of the adverse weather.
Here is an additional collection of nouns that usually go with ADVERSE:
- change
- circumstances
- weather conditions
Now, for the collocation,
We can use ADVERSE in many cases in IELTS Writing Task 2 and IELTS Speaking Part 3. Essentially, when dealing with any topics that are related to advantage – disadvantage or agree – disagree, we can use adverse to modify the meaning.
I will now give you THREE ways of using ADVERSE to write topic sentences:
- “There is little adverse effect from” studying abroad. This is a rather weak way to express the main idea (disadvantages). And it is suitable when you are discussing your side point (minor point).
- Laziness “has an adverse effect on” personal development.
The collocation have an adverse effect on is a straightforward way to indicate your main idea. I think this is a pretty strong way of expressing.
- Staying up late “is of obviously greater adverse effects on” health “rather than” benefits.
This is, without a shadow of doubt, not a weak way to express your idea. But it is quite complicated. That said, as you can see, using this way of expressing not only can give you a collocation (adverse effect) but can also, in a way, give a comparison between the two things that you have to analyze.
Thanks for your hard word so far, let’s continue tomorrow!
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