The correct use of "vs" (versus)

[Tom]

Hi

As far as my little knowledge is concerned "vs" or "versus" is used between two choices, correct? For example.

"Listen for" vs "Listen to"

...but if I also want to include the third one, say, "listen into", how would I?

How does the following seem to you?

"Listen for" vs "Listen to" vs "Listen into"

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

First I'd like to know why you want to include listen into in your comparison.
Or did you just pick a random preposition to add to the verb listen?

I'd say you might occasionally see vs used when comparing more than two things, but the usage is generally limited to a comparison of two things.

Amy

[Tom]

[Yankee]

Morning, Tom

No, I got up at 5:30. And the coffee at this house is quite similar to the coffee in Germany (i.e. stronger that the typical American java).

I'm sure "listen into" may be used sometimes, but I'd be more comfortable with either "listen in" or "listen in on".

By the way, gossips (i.e. the plural form of the noun) would refer to people who gossip -- and not to what the gossips are talking about.

Amy

[Conchita]

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

Hi Conchita

I didn't know that Micky D's had ever had coffee with ice cream on the menu. Maybe that was something special in Spain? I have to admit, though, I'm not a fan of McDonald's. Any time I've ever had anything to eat there I've ended up with heartburn. I don't know whether their food is better nowadays or not, but my early experiences with McDonald's food were more than enough to frighten me off forever.

"Sock juice"?!?!? That's hilarious.

Yes, "java" is used informally (in the US) as a synonym for coffee.
But, I guess the term "java" simply came from the coffee grown on the island of Java. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_coffee

Amy

[Cornelius]

[Yankee]

Hi Cornelius

Yes, you can ALSO refer to a person who gossips as a "gossiper".
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=gossip&r=66

As to the person who is the subject of gossip... Hmm, perhaps "fodder/grist for the gossip mill".

Amy

[Prezbucky]

let's coin a new term, Amy:

gossip-fodder

"Being the gossip-fodder for those gossipers (or gossips) really sucks!"
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.