apparent contravention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparent contravention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation that seems to violate a rule, law, or agreement, but may require further investigation to confirm. Example: "The company is under scrutiny for an apparent contravention of environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The eavesdropping was done in apparent contravention of the N.S.A. mission to monitor only communications abroad and raises serious issues of legality.

The New York Times

In court, the police officer who discharged the weapon conceded he did not warn Kennedy-Macfoy he was about to be shot – an apparent contravention of Home Office guidelines.

The Guardian

But he had lived in Abu Dhabi for 35 years, had a Jordanian passport, and his removal took place in apparent contravention of international law.In this section Happy hookahs But does the pope come as healer or neo-crusader?

The Economist

During a two-day trial at Brent magistrates court, the police officer who discharged the weapon conceded he did not warn Kennedy-Macfoy that he was about to be shot – an apparent contravention of Home Office guidelines.

The Guardian

In apparent contravention of precedent and the U.S. Constitution, the leader of the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, Mitch McConnell, said that President Obama shouldn't be allowed to name a replacement for Scalia.

The New Yorker

Five Russian cinema chains have been fined a total of more than 4m rubles (£68,000) for showing Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated blacomedyedy The Wolf of Wall Street in apparent contravention of laws banning the promotion of illegal drugs.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Colonel Prescott and his staff, apparently in contravention of orders, decided to fortify Breed's Hill rather than Bunker Hill.

Wikipedia

Kurdistan is moving toward independence, its determination to use newly secured oil reserves in direct contravention of the wishes of Baghdad ever more apparent.

Huffington Post

After his defeat, it became apparent that Iraq had been secretly developing chemical, nuclear and biological weapons, in contravention of its treaty obligations, such as those under the nuclear non-proliferation pact.

The Economist

Very annoying, and a contravention of trading standards.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was in contravention of every known city regulation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparent contravention" when you want to suggest a violation or breach, but you're not yet certain it's definitively true. This allows you to raise concerns without making a conclusive accusation.

Common error

Avoid using "apparent contravention" when you have concrete evidence of a violation. In such cases, a more direct term like "violation" or "breach" is more appropriate and accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparent contravention" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation or action that seems to be in violation of a rule, law, or agreement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apparent contravention" describes a situation that seems to violate a rule or law, but might not be conclusively proven. It is grammatically correct and usable, according to Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. When writing, use "apparent contravention" to introduce a potential violation, but avoid it when you have definitive evidence. Consider alternatives like "seeming violation" or "ostensible breach" depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeming violation

Replaces "apparent contravention" with simpler terms, indicating a violation that appears to be happening.

ostensible breach

Uses "ostensible" to emphasize that the breach is only apparent, possibly not real.

surface-level violation

Highlights that the violation is evident upon initial observation without deeper investigation.

presumed infringement

Indicates an infringement that is assumed to be true but may not be confirmed.

outward non-compliance

Focuses on the external appearance of not adhering to a rule or law.

on the face of it a breach

This emphasizes that based on initial observation there is a breach.

possible transgression

Suggests a transgression is possible but not yet definite.

potential infraction

Highlights that an infraction could occur or might have occurred.

superficial conflict

Indicates a disagreement or contradiction that seems present but might be resolved upon closer inspection.

visual inconsistency

Points out differences detectable by sight alone, implying a contrast that might not be substantial.

FAQs

What does "apparent contravention" mean?

The phrase "apparent contravention" describes a situation that seems to violate a rule, law, or agreement, but requires further confirmation. It suggests something appears to be a breach, although that might not be definitively proven.

How can I use "apparent contravention" in a sentence?

You can use "apparent contravention" to describe a potential violation that needs investigation. For example: "The company is under investigation for an "apparent contravention" of environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to "apparent contravention"?

Alternatives include "seeming violation", "ostensible breach", or "surface-level violation". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "apparent contravention" versus a stronger term like "violation"?

Use "apparent contravention" when you suspect a violation but lack conclusive proof. If you have solid evidence, a stronger term like "violation" or "breach" is more appropriate.