Vs vs Versus
Difference between vs. and versus is not that hard to understand. However, vs. and versus are two words that are confused when it comes to their application. The two forms are used in different senses sometimes. The form vs. is indeed used in the sense of ‘against’. On the other hand, the word versus is used in the sense of ‘opposed to’ too. However, you will understand that they both mean the same. The notable fact about vs. and versus is that vs is one of the abbreviations of the word versus. This is the main difference between the two forms, namely, vs. and versus.
What does Vs. mean?
The form vs. is indeed used in the sense of against. Take a look at the three sentences given below:
The England vs. Australia match was abandoned due to heavy rain.
Brazil vs. Italy match drew heavy crowd.
All the tickets for the India vs. Pakistan match were sold.
In all the three sentences, the form vs. is used in the sense of ‘against.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘the England against Australia match was abandoned due to heavy rain’, the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Brazil against Italy match drew heavy crowd’, and the meaning of the third sentence would be ‘All the tickets for the India against Pakistan match were sold’.
It is interesting to note that the form vs. is always used with a full stop. This is a very important observation to make when it comes to the usage of the form vs. This full stop indicates that vs. is an abbreviation.
Sometimes, the form vs. is used in the sense of ‘as compared to’/‘in contrast with’ or ‘difference between’ too as in the sentences given below:
Explain good vs. better clearly.
Real vs. reel is easy to explain.
Here, in both the sentences, the form vs. is used in the sense of ‘difference between’. The first sentence would mean ‘explain the difference between good and better clearly’, and the second sentence would mean ‘the difference between real and reel is easy to explain’.
What does Versus mean?
On the other hand, the word versus is the full form of the abbreviated form vs. Versus is also abbreviated as v., especially in court documents. Versus is used almost in the same sense of vs., but with some difference in some instances. The word versus is sometimes used in the sense of ‘opposed to’ too as in the sentences given below:
Francis versus Robert case appears to be never ending.
Mathew versus Sara case will be heard on the 23rd of April.
In both the sentences, the form versus is used in the sense of ‘opposed to’.
What is the difference between Vs. and Versus?
• The form vs. is indeed used in the sense of ‘against’. On the other hand, in some instances, the word versus is used in the sense of ‘opposed to’. However, you will understand that they both mean the same.
• Sometimes, the form vs. is used in the sense of ‘contrast with’ or ‘difference between’ too.
However, one must understand that vs. is the abbreviation for versus. Thus, both carry the same meaning though there is some difference in usage.