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Writing Tip 30: Verses vs. Versus

Versus vs Verses owl
Does this owl write “verses”? He looks a bit Shakespearean. But maybe he writes “versus.” He also looks a bit angry.

For bailiffs, bards, or others who have stumbled, here’s a quick refresher.

  • “Verses” refers to writing with meter and rhythm, as in a song or a poem;
  • “versus” is the confrontation or opposition.

As much fun as it is to see reference to a poet’s “versus” (was Marlowe really Shakespeare’s arch nemesis?) or a court case in song (Brown verses the Board of Education might be a sweet ballad , no?), folks should probably edit more closely on this one.