Advanced English Vocabulary, brought to you by Idioms Online
Many native English speakers routinely use this Latin loan word, vice versa, incorrectly
by placing it in confusing and ambiguous sentences.
Chances are, even if you learn the basic meaning of vice versa, you'll still use it incorrectly.
Here is the definition of the term and how to use it correctly.
First, a note on the pronunciation:
This word is pronounced primarily in two different ways in English, with neither being considered
more correct than the other:
Vais Versa
and, Vaisee Versa
You might also hear vaisee-versa and vaisee-versee.
And vice versa...
Vice Versa was borrowed from Latin, where it means something like the turned position,
or simply, the other way around.
We use it in English to mean that the reverse of whatever we just said is also possible.
Or, indeed, eh, vice versa...
In other words, if we take the major components of what we have said and reverse them to the
opposite order, the statement is also true.
So, vice versa means, with the order changed; with the relations reversed or with the statement
the other way around.
This is a quick and convenient way to indicate that the reverse is also true while using
fewer words.
Note on Usage:
As noted, vice versa should be used to indicate a reversal of the major components of a sentence
and in simple phrases where it is easy to understand what 'the other way around' would
be.
This often takes the form of a simple reversal of subject and object.
For example, Mike loves Sarah and vice versa.
The term is often used in ambiguous ways to propose a logical reversal in complex sentences
where it is difficult to understand its meaning or role.
For example, consider the use of vice versa in this long and wordy sentence:
In consequence, the fire-gases, when arriving there by the chimney shaft already have a
good upward draught, and when circulating round the muffle are at a lower pressure than
the gases within the muffle, so that in case of any cracks being formed, no hydrochloric
acid escapes into the fire-flues, but vice versa.
This is either an incorrect use of the term or one so hard to follow that the writer would
have been better off to explain in-depth what he or she meant to say.
Here is another simpler example: "I should spend more money on the clothes I wear the
most, and vice versa."
Is the writer suggesting that her clothes should also spend more money on her?
In reality, the use of vice versa, here, probably means that she should spend less money on
the clothes she wears less.
That is a reversal in logic.
And it could be quite confusing.
Avoid using vice versa in sentences where you wish to indicate a reversal in logic rather
than a simple reversal of subject and object or just a reversal of two things mentioned
in a sequence.
Examples Of Use:
"She's very upset with him and vice versa.
They both have good reasons."
"Before I get ready for work I watch the news and then eat breakfast or vice versa."
"There have been many movies inspired by novels, and vice versa"
"Does Chris Cuomo get special treatment from his brother, the governor of New York, and
vice versa?"