What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
invert
Example
She inverted the cake onto a plate. [inverted: past tense]
Example
The teacher asked the students to invert the order of the sentences in their essay. [invert: verb]
Example
To find the inverse of a number, you need to divide 1 by the number. [inverse: noun]
reverse
Example
He reversed the car out of the parking space. [reversed: past tense]
Example
The company decided to reverse its decision to lay off employees. [reverse: verb]
Example
The bike has a reverse gear for backing up. [reverse: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reverse is more commonly used than invert in everyday language. Reverse is a more general term that can be applied to a wide range of contexts, while invert is more specific and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between invert and reverse?
Both invert and reverse can be used in formal or informal contexts, but invert may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing, which tends to be more formal.
