ENGLISH
REFERENCE

viz

adv. sent.
C1 Advanced viz

adv. a short way of saying 'that is to say' or 'namely'. You use it to introduce a list or a specific name for something you just mentioned.

adv. used to introduce a more specific explanation or list of items for something previously mentioned. It is an abbreviation of the Latin 'videlicet'.


SIMPLE

The committee has two members, viz. the chairman and the secretary.

CONTEXTUAL

The company offers three main services, viz. consulting, auditing, and tax preparation.

COMPLEX

The treaty identifies the three sovereign powers involved, viz. the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as the primary guarantors of the regional peace agreement.

Usage

Typically used in formal or legal writing; it is almost always preceded by a comma and followed by the specific items it introduces.

Pitfall

He has many hobbies viz: swimming and golf.He has many hobbies, viz. swimming and golf.Viz. is an abbreviation and requires a period; it should also be preceded by a comma to separate it from the main clause.

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