contrary forces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary forces" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to two forces that oppose one another. For example: "The persistent tensions between the two countries were caused by contrary forces that sought to destroy each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And yet even then there were powerful contrary forces plainly visible.

The New York Times - Books

He held that fire first originated from water and that these two, operating as contrary forces, produced the physical cosmos.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they may owe their popularity to contrary forces -- to our contempt for the private and the personal, both of which we seem bent on defiling.

The New York Times - Books

We feel this strain of contrary forces over and over in the 16 stories in Boyle's new collection -- his sixth, counting the hefty compilation "T.

The New York Times - Books

(In fact there is an incentive to take the loss and set it off against other taxable gains).But there are contrary forces at work.

The Economist

In Mr Klein's telling, advanced liberal democracies, being what they are, tend always toward more thoroughly nationalised health-care systems, their natural state, unless prevented by contigent, contrary forces.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In the medieval classroom, for all its emphasis on tradition-bound hierarchy and order, a contrary force came into play, one that unleashed the charisma of talented individuals: the disputation, in which a respondent affirmed the thesis under discussion and an opponent attempted to refute it.

The New Yorker

Gassendi saw that the motion of the dropped stone at a sustained speed in the absence of any contrary force or obstacle is an instance of inertial motion, albeit one where the motion is compositional (describing the parabola).

SEP

In handwriting or drawing, on the contrary, force and position control are both relevant but are independent, thus leaving room to an infinite variety of writing styles.

Plosone

On the contrary, forced retention of Snail1 within the nucleus by leptomycin B treatment in Sema3E-negative P0 cells increased cell migratory ability and resulted in transformation into spindle-shaped cells (Fig. 5J and K).

Plosone

On the contrary, forced expression of the cell surface GRP78 increased N-Cadherin expression and decreased E-Cadherin level, suggesting that the cell surface GRP78 plays critical role in the regulation of EMT process.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary forces", ensure the context clearly establishes what these forces are opposing to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify if they are opposing a trend, a policy, or another force.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary forces" when simpler terms like "opposites" or "challenges" would suffice. "Contrary forces" is most effective when describing complex interactions, not basic dichotomies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary forces" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes entities that exert opposing influences. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing historical, philosophical, and scientific contexts where opposing elements interact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary forces" is a noun phrase used to describe opposing influences, typically within complex systems. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various reputable sources. The phrase is frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what these forces are opposing. Consider alternatives like "opposing forces" or "conflicting forces" to best suit the intended nuance. Avoid overuse in simple oppositions to maintain the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposing forces

Emphasizes direct opposition between forces, maintaining a similar level of formality.

conflicting forces

Highlights the conflict or clash between the forces, suggesting a struggle.

forces in opposition

Reorders the phrase for a slightly different emphasis, maintaining the core meaning.

countervailing forces

Suggests forces that balance or offset each other, implying an equilibrium or check.

competing forces

Indicates forces that are vying for dominance or effect, suggesting active competition.

opposing influences

Shifts the focus to influences rather than direct forces, broadening the scope slightly.

conflicting factors

Changes 'forces' to 'factors', indicating elements that contribute to a conflict.

antagonistic elements

Uses 'antagonistic' to denote opposition and 'elements' to represent components, making it slightly more formal.

reverse currents

Employs a metaphorical image of opposing flows, suitable in contexts where movement is involved.

polar opposites

Highlights forces that are diametrically opposed, stressing the extremes of the opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary forces" in a sentence?

Use "contrary forces" to describe opposing influences or factors. For example, "Despite the economic downturn, "contrary forces" such as government stimulus helped stabilize the market."

What is a good alternative to "contrary forces"?

Alternatives include "opposing forces", "conflicting forces", or "countervailing forces", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "contrary forces" or "opposing forces"?

Both "contrary forces" and "opposing forces" are acceptable. "Contrary forces" may suggest a more unexpected or surprising opposition, while "opposing forces" is a more general term.

In what contexts is "contrary forces" most appropriate?

"Contrary forces" is particularly suitable in academic, scientific, and news contexts where describing complex systems with interacting and opposing elements is necessary.