but rather the reverse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but rather the reverse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the opposite of what was previously stated is true or applicable. Example: "Many people think that exercise is detrimental to health, but rather the reverse is true; regular physical activity promotes overall well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"But rather the reverse".

The New York Times - Arts

The problem with this logic is that citizens do not exist to serve the police, but rather the reverse.

The New York Times

The problem for chronic drinkers was complementary to that of schizophrenics, but rather the reverse: they needed to experience the hallucinations of delirium tremens in order to give up drinking.

The Guardian

Not because this interminable economic crisis threatens to cost them their fortunes, of course, but rather the reverse: that by humiliating so many others, the slump has exposed the mighty to the horrors of criticism.

The New York Times

Several pluralists have argued that accepting the inevitability of value conflicts does not result in a  breakdown of moral argument, but rather the reverse.

SEP

Contrary to common belief, Kraepelin's original view of MDI did not involve "classic episodic" bipolar disorder, but rather the reverse: he held that mixed states were the most common mood state, and polarity was irrelevant to diagnosis: what are now called "unipolar" depressive episodes were viewed by Kraepelin as part of MDI (Ghaemi and Dalley 2014).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, had no embarrassment to fear, rather the reverse.

The Economist

The fifteen rounds of population-based surveillance data show that the declines in marriage in KwaZulu-Natal identified in the 1960s have not been reversed but rather the proportion of the adult population ever married has continued to decline between 2000 and 2006.

Demographic Research

Rather the reverse.

The Economist

Rather the reverse, it seems.

The Economist

Indeed, rather the reverse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but rather the reverse" to introduce a contrasting viewpoint or situation, particularly when correcting a misconception or clarifying a misunderstanding. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being reversed.

Common error

Avoid using "but rather the reverse" if the initial statement lacks a clear, direct opposite. The phrase works best when negating a specific point, not a general sentiment. Ensure a logical relationship between the initial statement and its reverse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but rather the reverse" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a statement that contradicts or inverts a previously mentioned idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but rather the reverse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a contrasting viewpoint, often correcting a previous statement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct. It is most frequently encountered in news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While alternatives exist, this phrase provides a concise and effective way to emphasize the opposite of a given idea. It is important to ensure that the initial statement has a clear opposite for the phrase to be used effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but instead the opposite

Replaces "rather the reverse" with "instead the opposite", offering a slightly more direct contradiction.

but in fact the contrary

Substitutes "rather the reverse" with "in fact the contrary", emphasizing the factual opposition.

but quite the opposite

Uses "quite the opposite" for a more emphatic reversal of the initial statement.

but actually the opposite

Replaces "rather" with "actually", highlighting the unexpected nature of the contrary.

however, the opposite is true

Introduces "however" for a smoother transition while stating the opposite.

instead, the contrary is the case

Replaces "but rather" with "instead", making the sentence structure more formal.

on the contrary, it's the opposite

Uses "on the contrary" to strongly negate the preceding statement, followed by a direct declaration of the opposite.

conversely, the opposite applies

Employs "conversely" to indicate an inversion of the situation or idea.

but the reality is the opposite

Adds "the reality is" to emphasize the truth contrasting with a previous misconception.

rather, the situation is reversed

Focuses on the reversal of the situation as opposed to a direct contradiction of an idea.

FAQs

How can I use "but rather the reverse" in a sentence?

Use "but rather the reverse" to indicate that the opposite of a preceding statement is true. For example: "Many assume this will decrease efficiency, "but rather the reverse" is likely to occur."

What are some alternatives to "but rather the reverse"?

Alternatives include "but instead the opposite", "but in fact the contrary", or "but quite the opposite". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "but rather the reverse" formal or informal?

"But rather the reverse" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards formal writing due to its structure and vocabulary. Consider your audience when choosing between this phrase and simpler alternatives.

How does "but rather the reverse" differ from "on the contrary"?

"On the contrary" introduces a statement that completely opposes a previous one. "But rather the reverse" also indicates opposition, but may imply a more nuanced or specific reversal. For example, "I thought he would be angry, "but rather the reverse"; he was delighted" versus "I think this is a good idea. On the contrary, it's terrible."