contrary indication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary indication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to evidence or signs that suggest the opposite of what is expected or previously stated. Example: "The patient's symptoms presented a contrary indication to the initial diagnosis, prompting further tests."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Absent some contrary indication, then, it would seem logical to conclude that when Congress used the phrase "affects the substantial rights of the parties" in the 1919 Act, Congress meant to require an inquiry into whether an error cast doubt on the verdict, not to create a class of rights as to which error was per se reversible.

Cornell University

These factors are substantial indicia that the legislators understood that § 307(a) as written would preclude private causes of action to enforce compliance with the Act, other than in the limited area of cases 'involving a labor agreement.' We have found no contrary indication in any of the hearings or committee reports.

Cornell University

A contrary indication is that it is not subject to the rules of change in a legal system -- neither courts nor legislators can repeal or amend the law of commutativity.

SEP

On the contrary, indication from biomarker analysis may have an immediate clinical implication, since the management of CKD and PE patients may not be the same [ 30, 31].

Disease Markers

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Washington: A Life" is full of contrary indications.

The New Yorker

Religious experience is used in Christian apologetics in two ways in the argument from religious experiences to God as their cause and in the claim that it is (in the absence of contrary indications) as reasonable to trust religious as it is to trust nonreligious experience in forming beliefs about the total environment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A preserved title of a lost works of his, On the differences between Plato and Aristotle, may seem to give contrary indications (he is also supposed to have written a work about the unity of their thought).

SEP

Pray this doesn't extend as well to China's increasing military might, although contrary indications already abound.

Huffington Post

On the contrary, indications for H. obsoletus populations developing on bindweed were rare.

European Journal of Plant Pathology

Thus despite earlier contrary indications, targeting ODC and the other polyamine biosynthetic enzymes of L. donovani could be a viable approach for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.

Biochemical Journal

Contrary indicator.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary indication", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the original expectation or belief was. This helps the reader understand the significance of the contrary evidence.

Common error

Avoid assuming that any differing data point automatically constitutes a "contrary indication". Ensure the new information is significantly at odds with previous understanding, rather than a minor deviation or nuance. This maintains the impact of highlighting a true contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary indication" functions as a noun phrase that introduces evidence or signs that suggest the opposite of what is expected or has been previously stated. As Ludwig AI suggests, it signifies a contradiction or conflicting information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

30%

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary indication" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to denote evidence suggesting the opposite of what is expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in academic, scientific, and news media contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the original expectation is well-defined to emphasize the contradiction. Alternatives like "opposite indication" or "contradictory evidence" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Recognizing subtleties and avoiding assumptions that minor deviations are "contrary indications" will enhance communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite indication

Replaces "contrary" with "opposite", emphasizing direct opposition.

conflicting sign

Focuses on the contradictory nature of the sign or signal.

contradictory evidence

Highlights the evidence that opposes a previous statement or belief.

opposing signal

Replaces "indication" with "signal", suggesting an opposing message or cue.

reverse implication

Implies a reversal of a previous conclusion or inference.

differing implication

Highlights the aspect of different result in implications.

counter evidence

Emphasizes the role of evidence in countering an initial assumption.

divergent signal

Emphasizes the divergence or deviation from an expected signal.

alternative evidence

Focuses on the presence of evidence that suggests a different outcome or conclusion.

disagreeing sign

Implies a sign that does not align with previous observations or assumptions.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary indication" to introduce evidence that suggests the opposite of what was previously believed or expected. For example, "The initial tests were positive, but subsequent scans showed a "contrary indication" suggesting the disease was not present."

What are some alternatives to saying "contrary indication"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "opposite indication", "contradictory evidence", or "opposing signal".

Is it correct to use "contrary indication" in formal writing?

Yes, "contrary indication" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where precise language is important. It effectively communicates the presence of conflicting or opposing evidence.

What's the difference between "contrary indication" and "counter indication"?

While both phrases suggest opposition, "contrary indication" typically refers to evidence that goes against a previous belief or expectation in general, whereas "counter indication" is more commonly used in medical contexts to describe a reason not to use a particular treatment or procedure.