contradictory assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contradictory assertion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a statement or claim that contains conflicting ideas or elements. Example: "The politician's speech was filled with contradictory assertions that left the audience confused about his true stance on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another is to claim that the contradictory assertion is ambiguous in some way, and that it is true on one disambiguation (or in one respect) and false in another.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They have offered only confusing and often contradictory assertions in place of a coherent alternative.

The New York Times

Mr. Breuer's image was not helped by his contradictory assertions soon after announcing the merger on March 9.

The New York Times

The rhetorical gulf between the N.B.A. and its referees grew deeper Thursday, with dueling news releases, pointed accusations and contradictory assertions.

The New York Times

Yet the filmmaking panache and the movie's occasional emotional punch may be beside the point: a story this complex, with many contradictory assertions, cannot be adequately conveyed by cinematic technique alone.

The New Yorker

According to Cambridge Assessment's research director, the QCA book on comparability was "high quality", but the report was a "highly defective" mixture of unreliable results and contradictory assertions.

The Guardian

Whatever that might mean, it comes as no surprise that his views about the origins, nature and implications of the genocide of the Jews are but a series of vague, undocumented and contradictory assertions.

The New York Times - Books

For Jews, questioning not just God but the Old Testament itself — arguing with its contradictory assertions and laws — is an essential activity, central to the two-thousand-year-long project of interpretation.

The New Yorker

His open, unopened letter to the Soviet Government certainly bears a superficial resemblance to those lengthy screeds which flop on the desk of every journalist from time to time, even down to the passages underscored and printed in capitals, full of contradictory assertions, obsessive fears, Falstaffian escalations of statistics".

The New Yorker

Margolis suggests that whereas contradictory assertions about a physical object cannot both be true, the principle of noncontradiction does not apply to the description of works of art.

SEP

The whole of a disjunction of contradictory assertions, such as 'either there will be a sea-battle tomorrow or there will not be a sea-battle tomorrow' or 'either Socrates is walking or Socrates is not walking', is necessarily true in the absolute sense.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contradictory assertion", ensure that the conflicting elements within the statement are clearly identified for the reader. This enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "contradictory assertion" when the statement is merely complex or multifaceted, rather than genuinely self-opposing. A complex statement may require careful analysis, but it doesn't necessarily contain a contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contradictory assertion" functions primarily as a descriptor, specifying the nature of an assertion. It points out that the assertion contains elements that are logically opposed or inconsistent with each other, as supported by Ludwig AI's examples from news and academic sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contradictory assertion" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a statement containing conflicting ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, it often signals a critical analysis of the flawed logic within a given argument. When using "contradictory assertion", it is important to clearly identify and highlight the incompatible elements to ensure effective communication. Consider alternatives like "conflicting statement" or "inconsistent claim" to subtly shift the focus or nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting statement

Focuses on the clashing nature of the statement itself, rather than the act of asserting it.

inconsistent claim

Highlights the lack of logical consistency within the claim being made.

self-contradictory statement

Emphasizes that the contradiction originates from within the statement itself.

paradoxical declaration

Implies a statement that appears self-contradictory but may contain a deeper truth.

mutually exclusive claims

Highlights that the claims cannot both be true simultaneously.

opposing views

Focuses on the presence of different and contrasting perspectives.

conflicting viewpoints

Similar to "opposing views" but emphasizes the individual perspectives.

logically flawed argument

Indicates a problem with the logical structure of the argument being presented.

invalid premise

Focuses on the idea that the underlying assumption is not valid.

dubious proposition

Highlights the uncertainty or skepticism surrounding the assertion.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "contradictory assertion" in a sentence?

Use "contradictory assertion" to describe a statement where different parts present opposing or incompatible ideas. For instance, "The report was criticized for making a "contradictory assertion" about economic growth and increased unemployment".

What are some alternatives to "contradictory assertion"?

Alternatives include "conflicting statement", "inconsistent claim", or "self-contradictory statement". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What distinguishes "contradictory assertion" from a simple disagreement?

"Contradictory assertion" specifically refers to a statement that contains internal inconsistencies. A disagreement, on the other hand, involves differing opinions or perspectives on a topic, without necessarily involving logical contradictions within a single statement.

Is it always negative to identify a "contradictory assertion"?

While identifying a "contradictory assertion" often implies a flaw in logic or reasoning, sometimes it can highlight a paradox or a situation where seemingly opposing ideas coexist. The context determines whether it's seen as negative or insightful.