a contrary stance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contrary stance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a position or viewpoint that opposes or contradicts another perspective or argument. Example: "In the debate, she took a contrary stance to her opponent, arguing for a different approach to the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Again the fugitive takes a contrary stance.

The New York Times - Arts

Robert Shrimsley, writing in the Financial Times, took a contrary stance to the rest of the national press, sarcastically remarking that the concentration on Cameron's tax affairs had become the "central narrative of the Panama Papers leak".

The Guardian

A contrary stance was taken by Howard Goodall in a recent article and on the South Bank Show where he argued that the musical state of the country was in fine fettle and implied that any dissenters from this line were ignorant whingers.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His is an unpopular and contrary stance when measured against the judgment of groups like the National Academy of Sciences.

The New York Times - Books

But, true to form, this deep-thinking and slightly cosmic, tale-spinning writer chose a more defiant, or contrary, stance.

Independent

But Mr. Putin made his contrary stance graphically plain before the summit meeting, at a Sunday meeting in London with Mr. Cameron.

The New York Times

Modernists, on the other hand, garnered admiring adjectives such as "unyielding" and "uncompromising," their contrary stance imbued with political as well as aesthetic implications.

The New Yorker

Curiously, the third draft of the lithograph contains this contrary stance in "Mathematics, as here defined, belongs to every enquiry; it is even a portion of deductive logic, to the laws of which it is rigidly subject"; but by completion he had changed his mind.

SEP

Both men were also pressed on Pence's contrary stances to Trump on issues including Muslim immigration, the Iraq war and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

The Guardian

Common Cause and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence filed a complaint against Attorney General John Ashcroft, maintaining that he committed an ethics violation by taking a position contrary to the stance that federal prosecutors have taken in a case still unresolved.

The New York Times

Lord Alli also revealed that the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, had been keen to allow a contrary view to be heard from within the Church, despite his hardline public stance in opposition to gay marriage.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a contrary stance" when you want to explicitly state disagreement or opposition, rather than neutrality or ambivalence. This sets a clear tone for your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a contrary stance" when you simply want to present an alternative viewpoint without necessarily opposing a specific established position. Use alternatives like "another perspective" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contrary stance" functions as a noun phrase that describes a position or attitude that opposes or disagrees with another. Ludwig AI indicates it is usable in written English. Examples show it is often used in contexts where someone is challenging a prevailing opinion or norm.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a contrary stance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a position that opposes or disagrees with another. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not overly common, the phrase appears in reputable sources such as "The New York Times", "The Guardian", and "Forbes", primarily within news and media, and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "an opposing viewpoint" and "a conflicting position". When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what you are opposing and avoid using it when simply presenting an alternative without direct opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an opposing viewpoint

Replaces "stance" with "viewpoint", emphasizing the mental perspective.

a conflicting position

Substitutes "stance" with "position", focusing on the formal statement of belief.

a dissenting opinion

Highlights the act of disagreeing, making the phrase more emphatic.

an alternative perspective

Emphasizes that there is a different way of looking at the situation.

a divergent attitude

Focuses on attitude rather than position, broadening the scope slightly.

a disagreeing position

This is a more direct and less formal way of stating a contrary opinion.

an opposing argument

Highlights the logical opposition rather than the general position.

a conflicting perspective

This emphasizes the idea that perspectives clash.

a contrasting view

Simpler and more direct, focusing on the difference in views.

a deviating standpoint

Stresses that the position is different from the norm or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "a contrary stance" in a sentence?

You can use "a contrary stance" to indicate opposition to a prevailing view, as in "Robert Shrimsley, writing in the Financial Times, took "a contrary stance" to the rest of the national press".

What phrases are similar to "a contrary stance"?

Alternatives include "an opposing viewpoint", "a conflicting position", or "a dissenting opinion" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to take "a contrary stance"?

Taking "a contrary stance" is appropriate when you have a well-reasoned argument that opposes an existing one. However, ensure your opposition is based on credible information and logical reasoning.

What's the difference between "a contrary stance" and "a critical stance"?

"A contrary stance" implies direct opposition, while "a critical stance" suggests an analytical evaluation that may or may not lead to opposition. "A critical stance" may involve pointing out flaws or areas for improvement without necessarily advocating for a completely different approach.