When to spell out the abbreviation vs?

You generally spell out "versus" in formal writing, especially in academic papers, legal documents, and other professional contexts.

Here's a breakdown:

* Formal Writing: Spell out "versus" (e.g., "The debate was between the two candidates, Smith versus Jones.").

* Informal Writing: Use the abbreviation "vs." in casual writing, such as emails, social media posts, and informal reports.

* Headlines: "Vs." is commonly used in headlines to save space.

Examples:

* Formal: The team's strategy was to focus on offense versus defense.

* Informal: We're playing the Lakers vs. the Celtics this weekend.

* Headline: Giants vs. Patriots: A Classic Rivalry

Note: While "vs." is the common abbreviation, you may sometimes see "v." used in legal contexts. However, it's generally considered more formal to spell out "versus" in all cases.