revert
B2Formal / Technical
Definition
Meaning
To return to a previous state, condition, practice, or owner.
To reply or respond (especially in email/legal contexts); to return to a previous subject of discussion; (biology) to return to an ancestral or earlier characteristic.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate or natural return to an original or less advanced state. In business/IT, it's a standard term for undoing changes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'revert to' is commonly used in business emails to mean 'get back to you' (e.g., 'I will revert to you tomorrow'). This usage is rare and considered non-standard in American English.
Connotations
In American English, the 'email reply' usage can sound like corporate jargon or a non-native speaker error. In British-influenced contexts (India, Singapore, etc.), it's standard professional phrasing.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British and Commonwealth business/legal contexts. In American English, more restricted to technical/formal meanings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] revert to [Noun Phrase][Subject] revert [to something] (intransitive)[Subject] revert to [doing something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “revert to type (to return to one's inherent character, often negative)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Please revert with your comments by EOD.' (Common in UK/Commonwealth emails meaning 'reply').
Academic
The study showed that forest areas, when abandoned, quickly revert to their natural state.
Everyday
After trying a new diet for a month, she reverted to her old eating habits.
Technical
If the software update fails, the system will automatically revert to the previous stable version.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I will revert to you after discussing with the team.
- The property will revert to the Crown if no heir is found.
American English
- Press 'Cancel' to revert all settings to default.
- He reverted to his childhood habits under stress.
adverb
British English
- The file was uploaded revertly. (extremely rare/non-standard)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use)
adjective
British English
- The revert process is not yet documented. (rare, technical)
American English
- The revert option is greyed out. (technical/IT)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- When the power came back, the clock reverted to 12:00.
- After the holidays, we reverted to our usual work schedule.
- The government urged protesters to remain peaceful and not revert to violence.
- Despite his rehabilitation, there were fears he would revert to criminal behaviour once released.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of REVERT = RE (again) + VERT (turn, like in 'convert'). So, 'turn again' to a previous state.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOTION (backwards to a previous location/state).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'revert' as 'ревертировать' (neologism/IT slang). For 'reply', use 'ответить'. For 'return to a state', use 'возвращаться к' or 'снова становиться'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'revert back' (redundant - 'revert' already contains 'back'), Using 'revert' transitively (e.g., 'I will revert you' instead of 'I will revert to you').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'revert' to mean 'reply' most acceptable?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is redundant and generally discouraged in careful writing, as 'revert' already means 'go back'. However, it is a common collocation in spoken and informal English.
No, this is incorrect. The correct pattern is 'revert to [someone]' (intransitive). The transitive use is a common error stemming from the 'reply' meaning.
It is standard and common in British English and Commonwealth business English, but it is often misunderstood or considered incorrect in American English, where 'reply', 'get back to', or 'respond' are preferred.
The main noun form is 'reversion'. 'Revert' itself is sometimes used as a noun in IT (e.g., 'perform a revert'), but 'reversion' is the standard term for the act or process of reverting.
Explore