appears paradoxical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears paradoxical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or statement that seems contradictory or self-defeating at first glance. Example: "The idea that more choices can lead to less satisfaction appears paradoxical, yet studies show this to be true."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

At first glance, such patriotism appears paradoxical.

The New York Times

The Sikh approach to free speech appears paradoxical.

The Guardian

Perhaps this appears paradoxical and counter­intuitive, but such is the shape of ­politics in today's Burma.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why retain a regulation, then let banks work around it?It appears paradoxical.

The Economist

Since COads is postulated to be an intermediate in methanol electrooxidation on Pt alloy surfaces, the relative inactivity of Pt3Sn for methanol oxidation appears paradoxical.

Electrochimica Acta

Symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation provides a dominant source of new N to the terrestrial biosphere, yet in many cases the abundance of N-fixing trees appears paradoxical.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

That compositionality does not constrain lexical meaning might appear paradoxical at first, but the source of paradox is just instability in how the label 'compositionality' is used.

SEP

It may appear paradoxical that customers would pay for software that did not work.

The New York Times

While attitudes toward privacy can appear paradoxical, the seeming contradiction is really about something else: control.

The New York Times - Tech

On the symbolic level, it would appear paradoxical that a country that has been at the forefront of European integration over the past half century has unravelled.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he comes to believe that these seeming contradictions appear paradoxical only because of his own manner of looking at things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears paradoxical" to introduce a statement or situation that seems contradictory or self-defeating on the surface, but may have a deeper, underlying logic or explanation. This sets up an expectation for further analysis or clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "appears paradoxical" without providing context or explanation for the seeming contradiction. Failing to resolve the paradox can leave the reader confused or unconvinced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears paradoxical" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe a situation, statement, or idea that seems self-contradictory or absurd at first glance. Ludwig examples show it is often followed by an explanation to resolve the apparent contradiction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears paradoxical" is a valuable tool for highlighting apparent contradictions and prompting deeper analysis. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, especially in science, news media and academic writing, to signal a situation that seems self-contradictory on the surface. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to resolve the apparent contradiction. Alternatives such as "seems contradictory" or "seems counterintuitive" can offer similar nuances. By using "appears paradoxical" judiciously, you can enhance the clarity and depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the surface seems paradoxical

Adds emphasis on the superficial impression.

superficially seems paradoxical

Similar to 'on the surface', emphasizing the initial impression.

seems contradictory

Focuses on the contradiction rather than the initial appearance.

presents an apparent contradiction

Stresses the contradiction and its apparent nature.

seems counterintuitive

Emphasizes the conflict with intuition or common sense.

presents a paradox

Highlights the existence of a paradox rather than its apparent nature.

initially seems absurd

Stresses the initial impression of absurdity.

at first seems illogical

Highlights the lack of immediate logical sense.

seems oddly inconsistent

Highlights the inconsistency and its strange nature.

seems self-contradictory

Emphasizes the internal inconsistency.

FAQs

How can I use "appears paradoxical" in a sentence?

Use "appears paradoxical" to introduce a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd at first glance. For example, "The idea that less regulation can lead to more innovation "appears paradoxical", but it can be true in some cases."

What is a good alternative to "appears paradoxical"?

Alternatives include "seems contradictory", "seems counterintuitive", or "presents a paradox". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "appears paradoxical" or "is paradoxical"?

"Appears paradoxical" suggests a seeming contradiction that may not be real upon closer inspection. "Is paradoxical" asserts that a true contradiction exists. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual situation.

When should I use "appears paradoxical" in my writing?

Use "appears paradoxical" when you want to highlight a situation or statement that seems contradictory on the surface but may have a logical explanation or deeper meaning. This invites the reader to consider the issue from a different perspective.