But conversely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But conversely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contrasting idea or perspective in relation to what has been previously stated. Example: "The first study showed positive results; but conversely, the second study indicated no significant change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, conversely, it's this self-importance that makes Great British Menu work.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But conversely they're not above a bit of nifty linguistic arse covering should it prove necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

But conversely, if one person opts in (even accidentally, say by clearing their cookies) then everyone is opted in.

The Guardian - Tech

But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons".

The Guardian

But conversely, into a highly public forum -- a museum -- come these gentle but sure proofs of privacy.

The New York Times - Arts

But, conversely, I'm not likely to be faced with that sort of situation, being both adult and male.

The Guardian - Books

But conversely, if they don't want it, no one can presume to impose it on them".

Independent

But conversely, when a culture does gain prestige, it can incite a revolution.

The New York Times - Arts

But conversely, because business education is increasingly global, Europe should have an advantage over the US because its curriculum and outlook is significantly more international than the US.

The Guardian

But, conversely, the progress made by this generation means that an increasing number of their children are now at heightened risk of moving down the social ladder.

The Guardian

But conversely, we very much want to get on with airing our own grievances, so as each customer advances to the desk, we will them to be quick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but conversely" to introduce a clear contrast or reversal of a previously stated idea. Ensure the contrasting statement is directly related to the first.

Common error

Avoid using "but conversely" to introduce a completely unrelated thought. The phrase works best when presenting a direct opposite or contrasting perspective to what was just mentioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but conversely" functions as a transitional phrase, specifically a contrastive conjunction. It connects two clauses or sentences, indicating that the second part presents an idea that opposes or reverses the idea presented in the first part. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correctly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but conversely" is a common and grammatically sound transitional phrase used to introduce a contrasting idea or perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When writing, remember that it's best used to present a direct opposite or contrasting perspective to what was just mentioned, differentiating it from similar phrases like ""but similarly"" which indicates comparable ideas. Alternatives such as "however" or "on the other hand", can be used for a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however

A simple replacement indicating contrast.

on the other hand

Presents a contrasting perspective.

in contrast

Directly highlights a difference.

conversely

Omits "but", offering a more concise contrast.

by contrast

Similar to "in contrast", but slightly more formal.

yet

A more subtle way to introduce a contrasting element.

nevertheless

Emphasizes the contrast despite a previous statement.

notwithstanding

A more formal alternative to "nevertheless".

in opposition

Highlights a direct contradiction.

on the contrary

Denies a previous statement and introduces its opposite.

FAQs

How can I use "but conversely" in a sentence?

Use "but conversely" to introduce a contrasting point that reverses or opposes a previous statement. For instance, "The team's offense was strong; but conversely, their defense struggled."

What are some alternatives to "but conversely"?

You can use phrases such as "however", "on the other hand", or "in contrast" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "but" with "conversely"?

While "conversely" alone can introduce a contrast, using "but conversely" emphasizes the contrasting nature of the statement and can provide a smoother transition for some readers.

What's the difference between "but conversely" and "but similarly"?

"But conversely" introduces an opposite idea, whereas "but similarly" introduces a comparable or related idea.