"respectively" vs "severally"

Question

"respectively" vs "severally"

The phrases 'respectively' and 'severally' have different meanings and are not interchangeable. 'Respectively' is used to indicate that items refer to the ones previously mentioned in the same order, while 'severally' means separately or individually. They are not comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

Use 'respectively' when you want to show that the items being mentioned correspond to the ones previously listed in the same order.

Examples:

John and Mary received gold and silver medals, respectively.
The winners of the race were Tom, Sarah, and Alex, who finished first, second, and third, respectively.

Alternatives:

in that order
in the same order
correspondingly
each
individually

Use 'severally' when you want to emphasize that things are considered separately or individually, rather than collectively.

Examples:

The partners are jointly and severally liable for the debts of the company.
Each member of the team is severally responsible for their assigned tasks.

Alternatives:

individually
separately
one by one
each
distinctly

Answer 1

respectively

The term 'respectively' is correct and commonly used in English. It is used to indicate that items refer to the ones previously mentioned in the same order.

Answer 2

severally

The term 'severally' is correct but less commonly used in modern English. It means separately or individually.

"respectively" vs "severally"

respectively

severally

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