contrary evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrary evidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe facts or circumstances that contradict a previous statement or opinion. For example, "Despite the widespread belief that the new law was successful, contrary evidence has shown that it had little effect on reducing crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But there is also contrary evidence.

The New York Times - Books

Any contrary evidence, any complexity, is foreign.

The New Yorker

"They would disregard or make fun of any contrary evidence.

The New York Times

These beliefs persisted, even in the face of contrary evidence.

The Economist

They wanted a war, so they demanded reports supporting their case, while dismissing contrary evidence.

The New York Times

There was a host of contrary evidence that gave Boyd confidence.

The Guardian

How might parliament address that limit if another study raised contrary evidence?

The Guardian

Questioned on television to prove his points, faced with contrary evidence, he talks past it.

The New Yorker

And the end result is a completely hermetic system, into which contrary evidence cannot penetrate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But economists keep finding contrary evidence.

The New York Times - Science

He noted that he was aware of contrary evidence, but he discounted it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "contrary evidence", be sure to cite your sources to maintain credibility and allow readers to verify the information.

Common error

Don't assume that "contrary evidence" automatically invalidates a claim. Assess the quality, relevance, and context of the evidence before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary evidence" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable. It introduces facts that contradict a previous assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary evidence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that presents information contradicting a previous claim. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse sources. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science, where objectivity is crucial. When using this phrase, ensure that the evidence is properly cited and its context fully assessed to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting evidence

This alternative highlights the presence of two or more sets of facts that are inconsistent with each other.

opposing evidence

This alternative emphasizes the idea that the evidence goes directly against a particular claim or belief.

evidence to the contrary

This alternative reverses the order of words while maintaining the same meaning, giving a slightly more formal tone.

disconfirming evidence

This alternative is a more formal and technical term, often used in academic or scientific contexts, suggesting the evidence invalidates a hypothesis.

rebutting evidence

This alternative suggests the evidence is presented specifically to refute or disprove a previous claim.

evidence in opposition

This alternative directly highlights the adversarial nature of the evidence against a particular point.

counter evidence

A shorter, more direct synonym that emphasizes the conflicting nature of the information.

contradictory proof

This alternative substitutes "evidence" with "proof", implying stronger certainty in the conflicting information.

inconsistent data

This alternative shifts the focus to the data itself, highlighting its lack of uniformity or agreement with other data.

disagreeing information

This alternative broadens the concept to include any kind of information that doesn't align with a given claim or statement.

FAQs

How do I use "contrary evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary evidence" to introduce information that contradicts a previous statement or belief. For example, "Despite initial reports of success, "contrary evidence" suggests the program has not achieved its goals."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "contrary evidence"?

Alternatives to "contrary evidence" include "conflicting evidence", "opposing evidence", or "evidence to the contrary".

When is it appropriate to present "contrary evidence"?

It's appropriate to present "contrary evidence" when you want to challenge a claim, offer a different perspective, or provide a more balanced understanding of a topic.

What's the difference between "contrary evidence" and "anecdotal evidence"?

"Contrary evidence" refers to facts that disprove a claim, while "anecdotal evidence" /s/anecdotal+evidence is based on personal experiences and may not be representative or reliable.