versus, v., vs.

Versus, meaning “against, opposed to” or “in contrast to,” is often abbreviated to vs. in sports coverage and to v. in legal documents. Versus and its abbreviations are not italicized.

  • Headline: Canada vs. Belarus in Hockey Final
  • Judge Whitcombe will hear Weiner v. The King next week.

Avoid abbreviating versus in day-to-day writing.

  • The coach studied the runners’ speed versus (not vs.) their endurance.

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

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