but contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

"but contrary to" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to contrast two ideas when one is expected to be true, but the other is the reality. For example: "Most people believed that the new law would restrict freedom, but contrary to expectations, it actually gave more rights to citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But contrary to common assumption, earmarks don't increase spending.

The Washington Post

But contrary to Mr Altan's claim, imams were fair game.

The Economist

But contrary to reports he is not going early.

The Economist

But contrary to mythology, you can do things here".

Independent

But contrary to popular belief, suicide is not that high.

The New York Times

But contrary to conventional wisdom, Bitcoin is not anonymous.

The New York Times

But contrary to some opinions, drinking is not all bad.

The New York Times

Jack is evil, but contrary to cliche, not banally so.

The New York Times

But contrary to what Mark says, he never sacked me.

The Guardian - Music

But contrary to the name, not all are international.

The Guardian

But contrary to popular belief, Haw is still there.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but contrary to" to introduce information that directly challenges a widely held belief or expectation. This sets up a clear contrast for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "but contrary to" when simply adding information that doesn't contradict a previous statement. It's for highlighting discrepancies, not for continuing a line of thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but contrary to" functions as a contrastive conjunction, introducing a statement that opposes or contradicts a previously mentioned or commonly held belief. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with numerous examples where it sets up a clear discrepancy. In essence, it signals a deviation from expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

15%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but contrary to" serves as a powerful tool for introducing statements that challenge or contradict existing beliefs. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and very common, especially in News & Media and academic contexts. It aims to correct misconceptions and present alternative perspectives. While alternatives like "however, unlike" exist, they lack the specific nuance of opposing a common assumption. Remember to use "but contrary to" to highlight discrepancies, not to simply continue a line of thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by contrast, contradicting

Directly introduces a conflicting viewpoint, making it more about stating difference than overturning expectations.

however, unlike

Emphasizes a direct contrast, omitting the implication of a pre-existing belief.

yet, differing from

Highlights a distinction, moving away from the sense of opposing an assumption.

conversely, against the grain of

Highlights an opposite stance, making it less about overturning an expectation.

nonetheless, in contrast with

Stresses the opposition, diminishing the element of surprise or unexpectedness.

in opposition to

Implies resistance or disagreement, without necessarily implying a surprise.

even so, as opposed to

Focuses on the alternative, reducing the emphasis on challenging a prior idea.

notwithstanding, differing with

Emphasizes an exception or qualification, lessening the aspect of challenging common wisdom.

despite this, diverging from

Underscores the deviation, shifting from the notion of countering a misconception.

in defiance of

Suggests a deliberate disregard for something, which is more confrontational than simply contrasting.

FAQs

How can I use "but contrary to" in a sentence?

Use "but contrary to" to introduce a statement that opposes a common belief or expectation. For instance, "Many expected the company to fail, but contrary to predictions, it thrived".

What's the difference between "but contrary to" and "however"?

"But contrary to" specifically highlights a contrast against a common assumption, while "however" simply introduces a contrasting point without necessarily implying a pre-existing belief. See also "however, unlike".

Which is correct, "but contrary to popular belief" or "but in contrast to popular belief"?

Both are correct, but "but contrary to popular belief" is more common and direct. "But in contrast to popular belief" is a slightly more formal alternative.

What can I say instead of "but contrary to"?

Alternatives include "conversely, against the grain of" or "by contrast, contradicting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.