claimed the opposite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "claimed the opposite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone asserting a statement that contradicts a previous claim or belief. Example: "While the report suggested a positive outcome, the spokesperson claimed the opposite during the press conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It offered money and benefits to those willing to say they or their relatives had been shot by the opposition, writes Mr Nelson, and harassed those who truthfully claimed the opposite.

The Economist

Business was slow, but the Trump family claimed the opposite.

The New Yorker

Yann Galut, the Socialist deputy, had said that Depardieu couldn't exist without the French cinema, but Depardieu's supporters claimed the opposite.

The New Yorker

Everyone who claimed the opposite was either ignorant of basic macro, or was making up new doctrines on the fly to justify his prejudices.

The New York Times

While the Palestinian FA claim the move is solely to keep politics out of sport, the Israeli Football Association have claimed the opposite, and have accused their counterparts of attempting to politicise sport.

Independent

There are also, however, other voices and studies that have claimed the opposite.

IZA Journal of Migration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

She and the others claim the opposite.

The New York Times

Trump claims the opposite, of course.

The New Yorker

Brigstocke claims the opposite is true.

The Guardian

"We won't claim the opposite".

The New York Times

Sarkozy, at least, has risked claiming the opposite.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "claimed the opposite", ensure clarity by providing context about what was initially asserted. This will make the contrast more impactful for the reader.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "claimed the opposite" can sometimes sound informal. In highly formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "asserted the contrary" or "maintained the reverse" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claimed the opposite" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating that someone has made a statement that contradicts a previous one. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "claimed the opposite" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to express that someone has contradicted a previous statement. Ludwig AI verifies this, offering examples from news, science, and wiki sources. While suitable for neutral contexts, more formal options like "asserted the contrary" might be preferable in academic or professional writing. When using this phrase, ensure clear context to make the contradiction impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asserted the contrary

Uses a more formal verb, "asserted", and a synonym, "contrary", for "opposite".

maintained the reverse

Replaces "claimed" with "maintained" and "opposite" with "reverse", implying a sustained assertion.

argued the contrary

Uses "argued" instead of "claimed", suggesting a more reasoned or debated assertion.

contended the opposite

Substitutes "claimed" with "contended", implying a forceful assertion.

stated the reverse

Uses a more neutral verb, "stated", and "reverse" instead of "opposite".

testified to the contrary

Replaces "claimed" with "testified", which suggests that the information has been shared in formal settings.

professed the opposite

Uses "professed" suggesting that the person is declaring something as their belief.

averred the opposite

Replaces "claimed" with "averred", implying an affirmed declaration.

professed otherwise

Uses "professed", suggesting that the person is declaring something as their belief and using 'otherwise' for brevity.

contradicted the initial statement

Replaces "claimed the opposite" with a longer, more descriptive phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "claimed the opposite" in a sentence?

You can use "claimed the opposite" to indicate that someone has made a statement that directly contradicts a previous statement or belief. For example: "While the initial reports suggested a decline in sales, the CEO "claimed the opposite" during the earnings call."

What are some alternatives to "claimed the opposite"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "asserted the contrary", "maintained the reverse", or "argued the contrary".

Is it correct to say "claims the opposite" instead of "claimed the opposite"?

Yes, "claims the opposite" is correct, but its use depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "claims" for present tense and "claimed" for past tense. For example: "He now claims the opposite of what he said yesterday."

What's the difference between "claimed the opposite" and "denied the claim"?

"Claimed the opposite" implies a direct contradiction with an alternative assertion. "Denied the claim" simply means rejecting an assertion without necessarily offering an alternative. For example: If someone denies a claim that they were involved, they don't necessarily "claim the opposite"; they just deny the original statement.