adverb · academic

conversely

UK/kənˈvɜːsli/US/kənˈvɜːrsli/con·VER·se·ly

speakingtask2

used to introduce an idea that contrasts with or reverses the previous one

Examples

Many thought the policy would help poor people; conversely, it mostly benefited the wealthy.

Solar panels reduce bills in summer; conversely, they generate less in winter.

Smoking rates fell among adults; conversely, they rose among teenagers.

Band 8 sentence

Many believed investment would decline after the scandal; conversely, foreign capital surged.

Collocations

  • conversely, + clause
  • conversely + S + V
  • Conversely, this suggests that...

Word family

converse verb/nounconversational adjective

Common mistakes

He arrived early conversely he left late.He arrived early; conversely, he left late.

She suggested changing the plan conversely to keep it.She suggested changing the plan; conversely, he wanted to keep it.

Say it for a higher band

5on the other hand6however7+conversely

Synonyms

on the contrary

Easily confused

alternatively

We could delay the project; alternatively, we could hire more staff.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Contrast

Learn it with its set