What Does "contrary to" Mean?
- Grammatical function: "Contrary to" is a complex preposition used to express contrast or opposition. It indicates that a situation, fact, or action is in direct conflict with a belief, expectation, or rule.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly versatile and can appear in the initial position (as an introductory phrase), medial position (often following a linking verb), or final position.
- Register: It is generally formal or neutral. It is frequently found in academic writing, legal documents, journalism, and professional debates.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It is followed by a noun phrase or a pronoun. It often pairs with verbs of state like "to be" or "to run" (e.g., "This runs contrary to...").
- Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a clause, it must be followed by a comma after the noun phrase. If used in the middle of a sentence after a verb, no comma is usually required.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can easily start a sentence to set up a contrast. It can also be modified by adverbs for emphasis, such as "directly contrary to" or "entirely contrary to."
- What sounds unnatural: Using "contrary to" to compare two physical objects (e.g., "Contrary to my car, his car is red") is incorrect. It should be used to oppose ideas, facts, or expectations.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from contrary to on Ludwig.guru.
"Contrary to initial reports, the cat survived." — independent.co.uk
"It's contrary to our ideals." — nytimes.com
"Contrary to general opinion, it was Iran." — nytimes.com
"This would run contrary to regulators' wishes." — dealbook.nytimes.com
"It runs directly contrary to precedent." — law.cornell.edu
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/contrary+to
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| in contrast to |
Used to highlight differences between two distinct entities or nouns. |
| as opposed to |
Neutral; often used to clarify a choice or a specific distinction. |
| despite |
Used to show concession; something happens even though there is an obstacle. |
| conversely |
Formal adverb; used to introduce a statement that reverses the previous one. |
| against |
Short and versatile; used when something violates a rule or principle. |
Common Mistakes
- Misplacement of commas: Forgetting the comma when "contrary to" starts a sentence can lead to run-on thoughts.
- Confusing with 'on the contrary': "On the contrary" is an adverbial phrase used to clarify that the opposite of what was just said is true, whereas "contrary to" must be followed by a noun.
- The 'Comparison' Error: Learners often confuse it with 'in contrast to', incorrectly using 'contrary to' to compare two nouns when it should be used to state that a fact or expectation is the opposite of what follows.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| contrary to |
Contrast/Opposition |
Formal/Neutral |
Initial or Medial |
FAQs
Can contrary to be used at the beginning and the middle of a sentence?
Yes, contrary to is grammatically flexible and can appear in both positions. In the initial position, it functions as an introductory element followed by a comma, while in the medial position, it often follows verbs like "is" or "runs."
What is the main difference between contrary to and in contrast to?
While both express difference, contrary to implies that something is in conflict with an expectation or rule. In contrast, in contrast to is typically used for a side-by-side comparison of the characteristics of two distinct nouns.
Is it correct to use contrary to when comparing two people?
Generally, no; learners often confuse it with in contrast to, incorrectly using contrary to to compare two nouns when it should be used to state that a fact or expectation is the opposite of what follows. To compare people's traits, use unlike or in contrast to instead.