Conversely means the other way round: the same relationship, but in reverse. Lowering screen brightness saves battery power. Conversely, a brighter display uses more energy. Both halves compare the same feature, here brightness and battery. It's a formal word for essays and reports.
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statement. Conversely, + contrasting statement; statement; conversely, + clause
- Lowering screen brightness saves battery power. Conversely, a brighter display uses more energy.
- Some customers value speed over choice; conversely, others will wait longer for a custom order.
- A larger font improves readability but uses more space. Conversely, a smaller font fits more text on the page.
What changed
First versionThe flat is cheap. Conversely, it's far from the city centre.
RevisionThe flat is cheap. On the other hand, it's far from the city centre.
Conversely sounds like a smart, formal way of saying on the other hand, so it gets used for any downside. But conversely reverses the same relationship, and price and distance from the centre are different features. For 'a plus, but a minus', use on the other hand.
On the other hand gives another point about the same thing: The flat is cheap; on the other hand, it's small. Conversely gives the reverse case: Small flats are cheap; conversely, large ones are expensive. However covers any unexpected turn.
Your turn
Choose the continuation that creates a contrast: The morning class was full. Conversely, ___.
Show the answer
the evening class had several empty seats — The full morning class is set against the evening class with empty seats: both are compared by how full they are. The teacher arriving early is a different fact, not a reverse case.
Compare morning and evening, summer and winter, or city and countryside on one feature. Start the second sentence with Conversely.
The express route has fewer stops. Conversely, the local route serves every village.
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