Conversely

Conversely is an adverb used to indicate that a proposition is true in the opposite sense or under an opposite relation to what has just been stated. It serves to introduce a contrasting or inverse idea, showing how the opposite of a previous statement would apply. For example: “Reducing taxes can stimulate investment; conversely, increasing taxes can dampen it.”

Etymology and form: The word derives from Latin conversus, the past participle of convertere, meaning turned around or turned about. In English it appears most often as an adverb, though related forms include converse (noun or adjective) and conservative uses of converse in mathematical or logical contexts.

Usage and nuance: In formal or analytical writing, conversely is often placed after a semicolon or at the start of a new clause to signal a direct reversal or contrasting relationship between two ideas. It implies a reciprocal or inverse connection rather than just a contrasting point. It should not be confused with the phrase vice versa, which means the reverse of the preceding statement in a broader sense. When choosing alternatives, writers may use phrases such as “on the other hand” or “by contrast” if the relationship is not strictly inverse.

Related terms and see also: Related lexical items include converse (the opposite in logic or geometry) and inverse (something that reverses a relation). The idiom vice versa is sometimes used to express a similar idea but in a less formal or direct way.