be in contradiction to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in contradiction to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations, statements, or beliefs that oppose or conflict with one another. Example: "His actions seem to be in contradiction to his stated beliefs about honesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"This would be in contradiction to the German constitutional framework.

The New York Times

"It would be in contradiction to the motto of this church, 'All are welcome here,"' he said.

The New York Times

It also wishes to highlight how the recent police activity seems to be in contradiction to this ministerial guidance.

The Guardian

This would be in contradiction to a whole series of studies in recent years that showed children in those families doing very well.

The New Yorker

O'Shanassy says that argument appears to be in contradiction to others that the government makes at the same time: that this coal will provide energy to millions of people in India and help lift them out of poverty.

The Guardian

"Placing infrastructure within the park seems to be in contradiction to the purposes for which the park was created," said John Hough, a board member of the Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This was in contradiction to the commitment they had with our group," Poettering said.

The Guardian

But the letter said the proposals on Jerusalem "were in contradiction" to "international references".

The New York Times

Our final point is that this move is in contradiction to the values espoused by the Scott Trust.

The Guardian

"I think the idea of providing quality education to people in a democratic society is in contradiction to the idea of providing for-profit education," she told me.

The New Yorker

Every attorney in the world knows that if a rule is in contradiction to a statute, the rule is null and void".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in contradiction to" when you want to express a clear conflict or opposition between two ideas, statements, or actions. Ensure the context clearly defines what is being contradicted.

Common error

Avoid using "be in contradiction to" when a simple verb like "contradict" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Simplicity often enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in contradiction to" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates a state of opposition or disagreement between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be in contradiction to" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express opposition or inconsistency between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often found in formal contexts such as scientific and news publications. While effective, it's essential to consider the simpler alternative, "contradict", for conciseness. The phrase’s neutral-to-formal tone makes it suitable for professional communication, but writers should aim for clarity by directly identifying the conflicting elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradict

This is a direct verb form expressing the action of opposing or denying something.

be at odds with

This phrase suggests a state of disagreement or conflict.

be in opposition to

This alternative emphasizes a direct and often active resistance.

be contrary to

This phrase is similar in meaning but often used in more formal contexts.

be inconsistent with

This implies a lack of harmony or agreement between two things.

clash with

This suggests a more forceful and direct conflict.

be incompatible with

This implies an inability to coexist or work together.

belie

This suggests that something contradicts an outward appearance.

run counter to

This suggests that something goes against the expected or normal course.

fly in the face of

This emphasizes a bold or defiant contradiction.

FAQs

How can I use "be in contradiction to" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to show that something opposes or disagrees with something else. For example, "His actions seem to "be in contradiction to" his stated beliefs".

What's the difference between "be in contradiction to" and "contradict"?

"Be in contradiction to" is a longer, more formal way of saying "contradict". The verb "contradict" is more direct and concise.

What can I say instead of "be in contradiction to"?

You can use alternatives like "be at odds with", "be contrary to", or "be inconsistent with" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "be in contradiction to", or can I use "contradict" in all situations?

While "be in contradiction to" is grammatically correct, it's not always the most efficient choice. In many cases, using the verb "contradict" directly can make your writing clearer and more concise.