contrary information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary information" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information that opposes or contradicts a previously stated fact or belief. Example: "The report presented contrary information that challenged the initial findings of the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

They assimilate contrary information slowly, whether that information comes from an analyst or directly from the company.

The New York Times

As in Doctor Foster, what characters and viewers believe they are seeing is constantly qualified by contrary information.

The Guardian

Nationwide points out it relies on credit information supplied and is unable to alter a report on the basis of contrary information provided by a customer.

Independent

But there are indications that the U.S. government souped up intelligence, leaned on spooks to change their conclusions and concealed contrary information to deceive people at home and around the world.

The New York Times

McHoskey believed that this would occur because proponents on both sides engaged in biased assimilation, whereby information that supports one's position is uncritically accepted, whereas contrary information is scrutinized and discredited.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The attack came as the Taliban leadership released a statement on the group's Web site on Thursday mocking claims by the secretary general of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, that Taliban attacks had been declining, and citing contrary information from "other enemy officials" that they had been increasing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

On the contrary, mutual information represents the general information between two variables.

BMC Medical Genomics

On the contrary, if information is given without taking into account those criteria, it is rated as premature information.

British Journal of Cancer

To the contrary, on information and belief, Dimon advised Liveris that his investment bank has had informal contact with Dow employees, including Kreinberg, among others, but these interactions were of the nature and quality of those commonly held among bankers and industry businessmen.

Forbes

According to ACF, Merrick said a water drawdown of around 5cm would cause a number of the nearby Doongmabulla Springs to dry up and its reliant species die off, contrary to information given by Adani to the government.

The Guardian

Secretary General Kofi Annan's spokesman, Fred Eckhard, said that contrary to information he had furnished on Tuesday, former President Bill Clinton's responsibilities in his post as Mr. Annan's special envoy for the tsunami-affected countries would not include involvement in the peace processes of Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always cite the source of the "contrary information" to maintain credibility and allow readers to evaluate its reliability.

Common error

Avoid presenting "contrary information" without providing sufficient context or background. Explain why the new information challenges the existing understanding and what implications it has.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary information" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "contrary" modifies the noun "information". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It typically serves to introduce or highlight information that opposes or contradicts a previously stated fact or belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary information" is a grammatically correct and usable term that refers to information opposing a previously stated fact or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, denoting its function to introduce a contrasting viewpoint. When using "contrary information", it's essential to provide sufficient context and cite sources to maintain credibility. Consider alternatives like "conflicting data" or "opposing evidence" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting data

Focuses on the data aspect, highlighting that the information clashes or is inconsistent.

opposing evidence

Emphasizes the evidentiary nature of the conflicting information, particularly in debates or legal contexts.

inconsistent reports

Highlights that the reports provide differing accounts, creating a sense of unreliability.

contradictory details

Focuses on specific details that clash with each other within a larger body of information.

discrepant facts

Highlights differences in factual accuracy, suggesting that some information is incorrect.

alternative account

Suggests a different version of events or explanation, potentially challenging the original one.

counter narrative

Implies a deliberate attempt to challenge an existing narrative with an opposing viewpoint.

reverse fact

Highlights an exact opposite piece of data about what was previously known.

refuting evidence

Show that a given set of information is wrong or inaccurate.

differing intelligence

Emphasizes that the sources are different and disagree.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary information" to introduce a conflicting viewpoint or evidence that challenges a previous statement. For instance, "Despite the initial reports, we received "contrary information" suggesting the project was successful."

What is a good alternative to "contrary information"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "conflicting data", "opposing evidence", or "inconsistent reports".

What's the difference between "contrary information" and "conflicting information"?

"Contrary information" generally implies a direct opposition to a specific claim, while "conflicting information" suggests a broader inconsistency between different sources or pieces of data. The two can often be used interchangeably.

Is it always necessary to explicitly refute "contrary information"?

Not always. The decision depends on the context and the audience. If the "contrary information" is significant and could mislead the audience, addressing it directly is advisable. Otherwise, it might be sufficient to acknowledge its existence and move on.