a contrary trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contrary trend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or pattern that opposes or differs from a prevailing trend or expectation. Example: "While most industries are experiencing growth, the retail sector is showing a contrary trend with declining sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Elsewhere, a contrary trend is at work.

The Economist

Having said that, there is certainly no evidence of a contrary trend of TBTF banks losing market share.

The Washington Post

The success of this sweet-natured love story has been cited as evidence of a contrary trend towards the gentle and heartfelt.

The Guardian

But now a contrary trend is forming: a number of groups working to bring back some of the authority and trust that has been lost.

The New York Times

A contrary trend, to overstate the climate problem and understate the issues in dealing with it, is less fully in flower on the left but is easy to spot.

The New York Times

The stability of supported ZnO catalysts for the reaction improves with increasing the Si/Al ratio of the HZSM-5 support, while the catalytic activity shows a contrary trend.

Catalysis Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This hypothesis cannot fully account for the PBL-led transformation of medical teaching in the 1990s, however, overlooking as it does a powerful contrary trend: the explosive proliferation of biomedical knowledge [ 15, 16] as epitomized by the completion of the Human Genome Project [ 17].

BMC Medical Education

More Photos > But another contrary trend has educators and policy makers abuzz: a rush by schools in all parts of America to offer instruction in Chinese.

The New York Times

However, the contrary trend was observed with the CH aromatic groups (3030 cm−1), which were measured by DRIFT spectroscopy.

Combustion and Flame

Pressure amplitudes at fRPF (Rotor passing frequency) and fSPF (Stator passing frequency) decreases when the flow rate increases, but pressure amplitudes at fR exhibit the contrary trend.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Of the four local hospitals, emergency admission rates for two of the hospitals followed the regional trend of an increase, however there were contrary trends showed by the other two hospitals that were studied; therefore we cannot derive any firm conclusions from these data.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a contrary trend", ensure you clearly define the original trend it opposes to provide context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a contrary trend" is directly caused by a specific factor without sufficient evidence. Correlation does not equal causation; further analysis is needed to establish a causal link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contrary trend" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a pattern or movement that opposes the prevailing direction or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a contrary trend" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a pattern opposing the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across varied contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media domains, it serves to emphasize deviations from established patterns. While several alternatives exist—such as "an opposing trend" or "a reverse trend"—clarity in defining the original trend is crucial for effective communication. When writing, be cautious not to assume causation without rigorous investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an opposing trend

Replaces "contrary" with "opposing", emphasizing the act of opposing.

a reverse trend

Substitutes "contrary" with "reverse", highlighting the trend's movement in the opposite direction.

a divergent trend

Uses "divergent" instead of "contrary", suggesting a separation or moving apart from the norm.

an alternate trend

Replaces "contrary" with "alternate", indicating a different or alternative pattern.

a conflicting trend

Uses "conflicting" instead of "contrary", emphasizing the opposition or clash with another trend.

a deviation from the trend

Rephrases the concept to focus on the act of deviating from a main trend.

a turnaround in trend

Highlights a complete reversal or change in the direction of the trend.

a shift in trend

Emphasizes a change or movement in the trend's direction.

a different pattern

Uses a more general term, "pattern", instead of "trend", broadening the scope.

an exception to the rule

Frames the situation as an exception rather than a separate trend, changing the focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "a contrary trend" to describe a situation that goes against the norm or a prevailing pattern. For example, "While most companies reported increased profits, our analysis revealed "a contrary trend" of declining revenue in the retail sector".

What are some alternatives to saying "a contrary trend"?

Instead of "a contrary trend", you could use phrases like "an opposing trend", "a reverse trend", or "a divergent trend", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to observe "a contrary trend"?

Not necessarily. While "a contrary trend" often indicates a deviation from expected positive outcomes, it can also highlight positive changes in traditionally negative situations. Its impact depends on the context.

What's the difference between "a contrary trend" and "an outlier"?

While both terms describe deviations from the norm, "a contrary trend" suggests a pattern or movement, whereas an "an outlier" is a single, isolated data point that significantly differs from the rest.