Meaning & use
vis-à-vis
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Meanings
prepositionformal
In relation to or in comparison with someone or something else.
Grammar: Followed by a noun phrase: vis-à-vis the previous year.
Patterns
- vis-à-vis something
- vis-à-vis someone
The company's profits are modest vis-à-vis those of its competitors.
Vis-à-vis her earlier work, this novel shows a deeper understanding of human nature.
What is your position vis-à-vis the proposed changes?
prepositionformal
In a position facing or opposite someone or something.
Grammar: Literally means 'face to face'; used to describe physical position.
Patterns
- vis-à-vis someone
- vis-à-vis something
The two leaders sat vis-à-vis each other at the long table.
The hotel is situated vis-à-vis the train station.
Common combinations
- vis-à-vis the competition
- Our pricing strategy vis-à-vis the competition needs to be reconsidered.
- vis-à-vis the government
- The newspaper's stance vis-à-vis the government has become more critical.
- vis-à-vis the law
- Citizens have certain rights vis-à-vis the law.
- vis-à-vis other countries
- The nation's economic performance vis-à-vis other countries has improved.
Synonyms and how they differ
- regarding
- More common and neutral; 'vis-à-vis' is more formal and often implies comparison.
- in relation to
- A plain English equivalent that is less formal.
- compared with
- Focuses on comparison; 'vis-à-vis' can also mean simply 'in relation to'.
Commonly confused: vis-à-vis or vis-a-vis?
vis-à-vis vs vis-a-vis
The same word without the accent; the accent is optional but common in formal writing.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence using 'vis-à-vis'.
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly uses 'vis-à-vis' to mean 'opposite' or 'facing'. Option 1 is wrong because 'vis-à-vis' is not followed by 'to'. Option 2 is wrong because 'vis-à-vis' is not an adverb of manner. Option 3 is wrong because it does not make sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “vis-à-vis”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.