contrary guidance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary guidance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to advice or instructions that oppose or differ from a previously given direction or recommendation. Example: "The team received contrary guidance from the management, leading to confusion about the project's direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That precedent "remains binding until the Supreme Court provides contrary guidance," the appeals court said.

The New York Times

Yet the Education Department has claimed there was contrary guidance from the Cabinet Office, according to the Financial Times.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This increase is contrary to guidance and shows no association with the timing of the fertility guidance.

BMC Public Health

Contrary to guidance, there is no evidence that changing the type of fat you eat from "bad" saturated to "healthier" polyunsaturated cuts heart risk.

BBC

Instead, it is driven by concerns that, contrary to guidance given to police, they are being used to deal with serious offences and repeat offenders, says our correspondent.

BBC

The prescribing of OACs in moderate-to-high-risk patients in the United Kingdom increased annually; 1/3 of very low-risk patients were prescribed OACs contrary to guidance.

Duke University

There was no decline in use of the three studied procedures, contrary to NICE guidance, and no change in uptake associated with the timing of NICE guidance or recommendation reminders.

BMC Public Health

"Contrary to national guidance, which states that peer support should be available in the UK to aid the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding, we found that coverage both across the UK and within regions was variable," said Dr Aimee Grant, a social scientist at Cardiff University who led the research.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Employees who engage in sexual or romantic relationships with a student or other employee contrary to the guidance, prohibitions and requirements provided in the policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal, depending on the nature of and context for the violation.

Stanford University

Those episodes that underwent needle aspiration contrary to BTS guidance (classified as 'small') had 'large' pneumothoraces according to ACCP guidelines.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

In a press release issued by CENTCOM, Gen. David Petraeus stated, "The codes on the scopes are contrary to U.S. Central Command guidance".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary guidance", clarify the source and nature of the original guidance to highlight the contrast effectively. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary guidance" without specifying what the initial guidance was. Omitting this context can leave the reader confused about the nature of the contradiction and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary guidance" functions as a noun phrase, where 'contrary' modifies 'guidance'. It describes advice or directions that are in opposition to what has been previously stated or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary guidance" is a valid and grammatically sound phrase used to describe conflicting or opposing advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. While examples are relatively rare, understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more precise communication, especially when highlighting discrepancies or conflicts in advice. It is important to clearly define the original guidance to ensure the contrast is effectively communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting advice

Highlights the presence of advice that clashes or disagrees.

conflicting directives

Similar to opposing instructions but may imply a more formal setting.

opposing instructions

Focuses on the contrast between different sets of directives.

inconsistent advice

Focuses on the lack of uniformity or agreement in the guidance provided.

differing recommendations

Emphasizes the variety of suggestions that do not align.

varying instructions

Highlights that the instructions are not uniform and may change.

contradictory directions

Stresses the inconsistency and opposition between different paths.

dissimilar recommendations

Underscores the lack of similarity between the proposed suggestions.

divergent counsel

Indicates a separation or branching out of advice.

discordant guidance

Emphasizes the lack of harmony and agreement within the guidance.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary guidance" to describe a situation where advice or instructions are in opposition to previous directions. For example: "Despite the initial plan, the team received "contrary guidance" from the new manager".

What is a good alternative to "contrary guidance"?

Alternatives include "conflicting advice", "opposing instructions", or "differing recommendations" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "contrary guidance" or "conflicting guidance"?

Both "contrary guidance" and "conflicting guidance" are acceptable, but "conflicting guidance" may be more easily understood due to its more common usage. "Contrary guidance" emphasizes the opposition to a previous direction.

How does "contrary guidance" differ from "revised guidance"?

"Contrary guidance" suggests opposition or disagreement with previous advice. "Revised guidance", on the other hand, simply means the guidance has been updated or changed, without necessarily implying a conflict.