Contrariwise & Vice versa

Question

Can I use them in this manner:Males usually appear more aggressive. Contrariwise, females often show their gentleness.They are seeing me as their archenemy; vice versa, I also see them as my archenemies.They are seeing me as their archenemy, and vice versa. (This suggests that I also see them as my archenemies,right?)Thanks for teaching!PS: vice versa is latin just like etc. both of them can also be used in english legally right?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Males usually appear more aggressive. Contrariwise, females often show their gentleness.

No. Here, I'd say 'On the other hand, females . . . '

Let me offer an example of how to use 'contrary'.
Tom is not aggressive. On the contrary / contrariwise, he is very gentle. This second sentence denies the first, and 'on the contrary / contrariwise ' intensifies that denial.

'On the contrary' is much more common than 'contrariwise'.

They are seeing me as their archenemy; vice versa, I also see them as my archenemies.

They are seeing me as their archenemy, and vice versa. (This suggests that I also see them as my archenemies,right?)

Yes, the general meaning of vice versa is that the order of the terms/conditions can be reversed.
eg Tom loves Mary, and vice versa.
Your previous sentence does not work, because when we say 'vice versa', we don't explicitly state the second meaning.
eg We don't say 'Tom loves Mary; vice versa, Mary loves Tom'. 'Vice versa' is not needed in this example.

Thanks for teaching!

PS: vice versa is latin just like etc. both of them can also be used in english legally right? Yes.

Clive

Avangi · Answer

loveCZ Males usually appear more aggressive. Contrariwise, females often show their gentleness.

They are seeing me as their archenemy; vice versa, I also see them as my archenemies.

They are seeing me as their archenemy, and vice versa. I don't remember seeing "vice versa" used to introduce an independent clause. But your final example is typical. It does require a bit of processing, so don't make it too hard on your reader. I'd probably use a dash, to let the main idea sink in, before asking the reader to reverse it. Others may disagree. You're usually making a point which is not obvious.

It's also used conversationally as a stand alone. It really angers me that you're taking this stubborn attitude! (reply) And vice versa!

I don't think we'd use it where the turnabout would be logically expected. It's good to see you! (reply) Vice versa. This is possible, but a better reply would be, "Likewise."

Your "contrariwise" example works better if you reverse it. The comparative "more" is out of place. Make your positive statement first.
Females often show their gentleness. Contrariwise, males usually appear more agressive.
OR, Males often show their agression/agressiveness. Contrariwise, females usually appear more gentle.

Edit. I'll yield to Clive on "contrariwise." I don't think I've ever used it, and was thinking it's meaning differed from "on the contrary," which I use frequently.

Hmm, my dictionary says, "from a contrasting point of view." Your example introduces a contrasting set of facts, not a contrasting point of view on the same issue(s). "On the other hand" is the correct expression.

The Tibetans are peaceful. On the other hand the Mongols were warlike. You couldn't use "contrariwise" here.

LoveCZ · Answer

That means that we are able to use "On the contrary" & "Contrariwise" just like using "Instead",right?

Second statement denies the first.

Avangi · Answer

Right!

BTW, I continue in urging you to change the order of your "men are from Mars; women are from Venus" example, regardless of the joining expression.

Re your middle example, I'd probably use "similarly," or "by the same token," instead of "vice versa." Clive and I seemed to agree that with this particular pattern, where you actually state the inversion, "vice versa" is unusual. Granted, the meaning is not the same. "Vice versa" adds another level of complexity, although it leaves the reader to fill in the details.

Contrariwise & Vice versa

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