by contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

"by contrast" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to explain how two situations or things are different - for example: "He prefers to watch comedies, by contrast his brother enjoys action films."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conversation, by contrast, may.

The Economist

But only by contrast.

The New York Times

By contrast, smaller endeavors thrived.

The New York Times - Arts

Tula, by contrast, is average.

The New York Times

Tate, by contrast, seemed fresh.

The New York Times - Sports

By contrast, the 7 a.m.

The New York Times

By contrast, Oracle's is unchanged.

The New York Times

By contrast, Japan was mesmerised.

The Economist

Labourites, by contrast, devour them.

The Economist

Democrats, by contrast, were ecstatic.

The New York Times

American art suffered by contrast.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by contrast" to clearly signal a shift from one subject, idea, or situation to another, highlighting their differences.

Common error

Ensure that "by contrast" is properly set off with commas (e.g., "This is one approach; by contrast, another approach involves..."). Omitting the comma after the phrase can create a run-on sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by contrast" functions as a transitional adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses or sentences, signaling that the second element presents a difference or opposition to the first. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to explain differences between situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by contrast" is a versatile transitional phrase used to highlight differences between elements, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and very common, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts from news articles to encyclopedic entries. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, ensuring readability across multiple mediums. While alternatives like "in comparison" and "conversely" exist, "by contrast" distinctly emphasizes a direct opposition. Remember to use commas correctly with "by contrast" to avoid run-on sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast

Slightly different word order, similar meaning.

in comparison

This alternative directly focuses on the act of comparing two things, similar to "by contrast".

conversely

This single-word adverb provides a concise way to indicate an opposite or contrasting viewpoint.

on the other hand

This phrase introduces a contrasting point or perspective, offering a more balanced comparison.

in opposition

This option emphasizes a direct conflict or disagreement between two things.

unlike

This preposition highlights the differences between two subjects.

whereas

This conjunction introduces a statement that contrasts with a previous one.

however

This adverb provides a general way to introduce a contrasting statement or idea.

on the contrary

This phrase strongly negates a previous statement and introduces a contrasting one.

differently

Implies different manner or characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "by contrast" in a sentence?

Use "by contrast" to introduce an element that differs significantly from what was previously stated. For example, "Apples are sweet; "by contrast", lemons are sour."

What are some alternatives to saying "by contrast"?

You can use alternatives such as "in comparison", "conversely", or "on the other hand" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in contrast" and "by contrast"?

While both phrases serve a similar purpose, "by contrast" often introduces a more direct or striking difference compared to "in contrast". They are largely interchangeable, though stylistic preference may dictate choice.

Where does "by contrast" typically appear in a sentence?

"By contrast" usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to introduce a contrasting element. It can also be placed mid-sentence, set off by commas. For example, "This method is costly; another method, "by contrast", is more economical."