are to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is in opposition to what has been previously stated or assumed. Example: "The findings of the recent study are to the contrary, suggesting that the initial hypothesis was incorrect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

These laws are, to the contrary, the result of institutional constraints, and these institutions can be changed, if the will be there.

SEP

This strong version of the unitary executive however has not been fully articulated by the Court, and indeed, the existence of independent agencies and the premise of the unanimous decision in U.S. v. Nixon are to the contrary.

Huffington Post

Our findings are to the contrary: The close correspondence between the blind watchmaker network and the structure of empirical networks implies that the evolutionary pathway leading to the construction of the cell-metabolism, when projected onto our network representation, is statistically random with respect to a complete set of network states (see Figs. 1 and 2).

Plosone

Our findings are to the contrary.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But evidence is to the contrary.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the evidence is to the contrary.

The New York Times

The evidence seems to be to the contrary.

The Guardian

Baker added: "If anything the evidence is to the contrary".

The Guardian

He is, to the contrary, convivial, good-natured, even jaunty.

The New Yorker

But all the evidence is to the contrary.

The Guardian - Books

"Well I think the evidence is to the contrary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are to the contrary", ensure that the statement it opposes is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. It functions best when directly refuting a prior claim or assumption.

Common error

Avoid using "are to the contrary" when the opposition is only partial or nuanced. The phrase implies a complete contradiction, so it's unsuitable for cases where there's only a slight disagreement or a difference in degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to the contrary" functions as a contrasting phrase, used to introduce information or findings that oppose a previously stated or implied idea. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, serving to negate or challenge an existing viewpoint.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are to the contrary" is a useful expression for introducing contradicting information or viewpoints. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and found in various formal contexts like news, science, and business. While not extremely common, it effectively serves its purpose of expressing opposition. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly opposes a prior statement and is suitable for the level of formality required by the context. Alternatives such as "contradict this" or "oppose this view" might be more appropriate in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are to the opposite

Replaces "contrary" with "opposite", emphasizing direct opposition.

contradict this

A more direct and concise way of expressing opposition.

oppose this view

Focuses on disagreeing with a specific viewpoint.

are inconsistent with this

Highlights a lack of alignment or agreement.

are at odds with this

Implies a conflict or disagreement.

are in conflict with this

Similar to "at odds with", but emphasizes a stronger clash.

belie this

Indicates that something contradicts or disguises the truth.

negate this

A more formal and forceful way of expressing contradiction.

refute this

Suggests providing evidence to disprove something.

disprove this

Emphasizes demonstrating the falsity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are to the contrary" in a sentence?

You can use "are to the contrary" to introduce evidence or findings that oppose a previous statement or belief. For instance, "Many believed the project would fail, but the results "are to the contrary"."

What's a simple alternative to "are to the contrary"?

Alternatives include phrases like "contradict this", or "oppose this view", which are more direct and less formal.

Is it always necessary to include "are" before "to the contrary"?

Yes, "to the contrary" typically requires a verb like "is", "are", "was", or "were" to function grammatically within a sentence. For example, "The evidence "is to the contrary"."

When is it inappropriate to use "are to the contrary"?

Avoid using "are to the contrary" when you need to express a partial disagreement or a nuance. The phrase indicates a complete opposition. In such cases you can consider using words like "differ slightly" instead.