Avert vs Aver: The Main Differences And When To Use Them

Are you confident in your ability to use the words avert and aver correctly? These two words are often confused and misused, but fear not, as we will provide you with a thorough understanding of their meanings and proper usage.

It’s important to note that both avert and aver are proper words in the English language. However, they have different meanings and usage.

Avert is a verb that means to prevent or avoid something undesirable from happening. For example, “He averted his gaze from the gruesome scene.” Avert is often used in the context of averting danger or disaster.

Aver, on the other hand, is also a verb but means to state something as a fact or to assert with confidence. For instance, “She averred that she had not seen the suspect before.” Aver is used to express a statement or belief as true.

Now that we have established the difference between avert and aver, let’s delve deeper into their usage and explore some examples.

Define Avert

Avert is a verb that means to turn away or prevent something undesirable from happening. It is often used in the context of avoiding danger or harm.

For instance, a driver may avert an accident by quickly swerving to avoid hitting an animal on the road. In this case, the driver takes action to prevent the accident from happening.

Avert can also be used in a metaphorical sense, such as when someone averts their gaze to avoid looking at something unpleasant.

Define Aver

Aver is a verb that means to state something as a fact or to affirm something with confidence. It is often used in legal or formal contexts.

For example, a witness may aver that they saw the defendant commit the crime. In this case, the witness is stating their observation as a fact.

Aver can also mean to declare or assert something strongly, as in “I aver that this is the best coffee I’ve ever had.”

In summary, avert and aver are two distinct verbs with different meanings. Avert is about preventing something from happening, while aver is about stating something as a fact or asserting something with confidence.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing effectively, using the right words in the right context is crucial. In this section, we will explore the proper usage of the words avert and aver, and how to use them in a sentence.

How To Use “Avert” In A Sentence

The word “avert” is a verb that means to prevent something from happening or to turn something away. Here are some examples of how to use “avert” in a sentence:

• She was able to avert a crisis by acting quickly.
• The driver swerved to avert a collision with the oncoming car.
• The company took steps to avert a financial disaster.

As you can see from these examples, “avert” is often used to describe situations where action is taken to prevent something negative from happening. It is important to note that “avert” is typically used in the context of preventing something specific, such as a crisis or disaster.

How To Use “Aver” In A Sentence

The word “aver” is a verb that means to state something as a fact or to assert something with confidence. Here are some examples of how to use “aver” in a sentence:

• The witness averred that she saw the defendant at the scene of the crime.
• The scientist averred that the experiment was conducted according to established protocols.
• The politician averred that she would fight for the interests of her constituents.

As you can see from these examples, “aver” is often used to describe situations where someone is making a strong statement or asserting something confidently. It is important to note that “aver” is typically used in the context of stating something as a fact or making a strong assertion.

In summary, “avert” is used to describe situations where action is taken to prevent something negative from happening, while “aver” is used to describe situations where someone is making a strong statement or asserting something confidently. By using these words correctly in your writing, you can communicate your ideas more effectively and clearly.

More Examples Of Avert & Aver Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use avert and aver in a sentence. These examples will help you understand the proper usage of each word and how they differ from each other.

Examples Of Using Avert In A Sentence

• The quick-thinking driver was able to avert a collision with the oncoming car.
• The company implemented new safety measures to avert any potential accidents.
• He tried to avert his gaze from the gruesome scene.
• The doctor was able to avert a major health crisis by catching the disease early.
• The politician’s speech was an attempt to avert a public relations disaster.
• The pilot was able to avert disaster by making an emergency landing.
• The security guard was able to avert a theft by catching the thief in the act.
• The homeowner installed a security system to avert any potential break-ins.
• The teacher was able to avert a classroom disruption by addressing the issue early on.
• The hiker was able to avert a dangerous situation by following proper safety protocols.

Examples Of Using Aver In A Sentence

• The witness averred that he saw the defendant at the scene of the crime.
• The scientist averred that his findings were based on sound research.
• The journalist averred that her reporting was unbiased and factual.
• The lawyer averred that his client was innocent of the charges.
• The historian averred that the events of the past were accurately documented.
• The expert averred that the product was safe for use.
• The doctor averred that the patient’s condition was improving.
• The artist averred that his work was inspired by nature.
• The author averred that her book was based on real-life experiences.
• The coach averred that his team was ready for the upcoming game.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words avert and aver, many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used in place of each other. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake 1: Using Avert When You Mean Aver

One common mistake is using avert when you actually mean to use aver. Avert means to prevent something from happening, while aver means to state something as fact or to declare something to be true. For example, saying “I averted that the sky is blue” is incorrect. The correct usage would be “I averred that the sky is blue.”

Mistake 2: Using Aver When You Mean Avert

Another mistake is using aver when you actually mean to use avert. As mentioned, avert means to prevent something from happening. Aver does not have this meaning. For example, saying “I averred the car accident” is incorrect. The correct usage would be “I averted the car accident.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings of each word and use them appropriately. Here are some tips:

• Take the time to look up the definitions of avert and aver to ensure you are using them correctly.
• Think about the context in which you are using the words. Are you trying to prevent something from happening or are you stating something as fact?
• Proofread your writing to ensure you have used the correct word.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words avert and aver can be a tricky task, as their meanings are similar but not interchangeable. The context in which they are used can often determine which word is more appropriate.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between avert and aver might change:

Context	Word Choice	Explanation
Legal Proceedings	Aver	In legal proceedings, aver is often used to mean “to assert or allege as a fact.” For example, the prosecution might aver that the defendant committed the crime.
Disaster Preparedness	Avert	In the context of disaster preparedness, avert is often used to mean “to prevent or avoid.” For example, taking measures to avert a potential natural disaster.
Personal Interactions	Avert	In personal interactions, avert is often used to mean “to turn away or avoid.” For example, avoiding eye contact to avert a confrontation.
Financial Planning	Avert	In the context of financial planning, avert is often used to mean “to prevent or avoid.” For example, taking steps to avert a financial crisis.

As you can see, the choice between avert and aver can depend heavily on the context in which they are used. It is important to carefully consider the meaning of each word and choose the one that best fits the situation at hand.

Exceptions To The Rules

While avert and aver have specific rules for their usage, there are some exceptions to these rules that are worth noting. Here are a few cases where the rules may not apply:

1. Regional Variations

Depending on the region or dialect, the rules for using avert and aver may vary. For example, in some areas, avert may be used interchangeably with aver. In other areas, aver may be used to mean “to declare confidently,” rather than “to state as a fact.”

2. Contextual Usage

There are situations where the context of the sentence may dictate the appropriate usage of avert or aver. For instance, if you are talking about preventing a disaster from happening, avert would be the correct word to use. However, if you are stating a fact, aver would be the better choice.

3. Historical Usage

In some cases, the historical usage of avert and aver may differ from their modern usage. For example, in older texts, aver was commonly used to mean “to affirm or assert,” rather than “to state as a fact.” Similarly, avert was used to mean “to turn away” or “to ward off,” but it was not commonly used to mean “to prevent.”

It is important to note that while these exceptions exist, they do not negate the general rules for using avert and aver. In most cases, it is best to stick to the standard usage of these words to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of avert and aver is through practice exercises. Here are a few exercises to get you started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (avert or aver) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The quick thinking of the pilot helped to __________ disaster.
2. She tried to __________ suspicion by acting nonchalant.
3. The witness was asked to __________ that he saw the suspect at the scene of the crime.
4. He was able to __________ a crisis by taking decisive action.
5. The politician tried to __________ attention away from his scandal by talking about a different issue.

Answer Key:

1. avert
2. avert
3. aver
4. avert
5. avert

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence below with the correct form of avert or aver:

1. The security guard was able to __________ a potential theft by catching the thief in the act.
2. The witness was asked to __________ that she had seen the suspect leaving the scene of the crime.
3. The CEO was able to __________ a financial crisis by cutting costs and increasing revenue.
4. The politician tried to __________ attention away from his scandal by talking about a different issue.
5. The teacher __________ that the students would do well on the test if they studied hard.

Answer Key:

1. avert
2. aver
3. avert
4. avert
5. aver

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of avert and aver in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between avert and aver is crucial for effective communication. Avert means to prevent or avoid something undesirable, while aver means to assert or declare something to be true. These two words are often confused, but their meanings are quite distinct.

Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended message. Therefore, it is essential to use the correct word in the appropriate context.

Key Takeaways From The Article:

• Avert means to prevent or avoid something undesirable.
• Aver means to assert or declare something to be true.
• These two words are often confused, but their meanings are distinct.
• Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

By mastering the difference between avert and aver, you can improve your writing and communication skills. It is also beneficial to continue learning about grammar and language use to enhance your overall proficiency in the English language.