English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

VICE or VICES?

The vice chancellor has warned students to shun ~vices~ (nonstandard).
The vice chancellor has warned students to shun *vice* (standard).
Vice as an uncountable noun refers to criminal activities, especially those connected with pornography or prostitution and drugs.

Greed, pride, envy, and lust are considered to be ~vice~ (nonstandard).
Greed, pride, envy, and lust are considered to be *vices* (standard).
A vice is a habit which is regarded as a weakness in someone’s character, but not usually as a serious fault. It is a countable noun that can be pluralised.
GAB

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