contrary intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate a situation where the intention of a party is different from what is stated or implied in a document or agreement. Example: "The contract clearly states the obligations of both parties, unless there is a contrary intention expressed elsewhere in the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Britannica

Cornell University

Harvard University

Forbes

The Guardian

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Some of the rules respecting offer and acceptance are designed to operate only when a contrary intention has not been indicated.

Britannica

See 2A N. Singer, Sutherland on Statutory Construction §47.33, p. 369 (6th rev. ed. 2000) (“Referential and qualifying words and phrases, where no contrary intention appears, refer solely to the last antecedent”).

Cornell University

Furthermore, "[w]here the consideration given by each party to a contract consists in whole or in part of promises, all the performances to be rendered by each party taken collectively are treated as performances to be exchanged under an exchange of promises, unless a contrary intention is clearly manifested". Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 232.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

While we now turn to the legislative history as an additional tool of analysis, we do so with the recognition that only the most extraordinary showing of contrary intentions from those data would justify a limitation on the "plain meaning" of the statutory language.

Cornell University

In the last few decades, national tax systems have become so complex and full of contrary intentions that they have created a situation in which multinational companies like Google, Microsoft, Starbucks and Amazon can use complex accounting schemes to channel earnings to low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions and pay only minimal amounts of tax at a global level.

Forbes

That code said: "We will not advise clients to enter into transactions with the main purpose of securing a tax advantage clearly contrary to the intention of parliament in enacting the relevant legislation".

The Guardian - Business

This was completely contrary to our intention.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stephen Lennon, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a false identity document with improper intention, contrary to the Identity Documents Act 2010, at Southwark crown court in London.

The Guardian

Paintings that are varnished, contrary to the intention of the artist, can become permanently altered in appearance over time and become diminished in value.

Britannica

Therefore, theology must remain under the constant control of philosophy and the supervision of the divine law so as not to drift into taking positions that cannot be demonstrated philosophically or that are contrary to the intention of the divine law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, an effect of bonus taxation contrary to its intention can also occur when the principal bears the tax burden.

Business Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid confusion, if there's a "contrary intention", make sure to clarify the hierarchy or precedence between different clauses or agreements.

Common error

Do not assume that a lack of explicit statement means there is no "contrary intention". Always consider the broader context and conduct thorough due diligence to identify any implicit or unstated intentions that may conflict with the surface-level meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "contrary" modifies the noun "intention". Ludwig examples and the Ludwig AI confirm that it's commonly used in legal and formal contexts to indicate a differing or opposing purpose.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary intention" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, although relatively rare. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most often encountered in formal contexts, particularly legal and academic writing. It serves the purpose of indicating an intent that differs from what is explicitly stated or generally understood. When using this phrase, clarity and explicitness are paramount to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "opposite intent" exist, "contrary intention" maintains a specific formality suitable for precise documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Opposite intent

Replaces "contrary" with "opposite" to emphasize direct opposition.

Conflicting intention

Uses "conflicting" to highlight the presence of two opposing intentions.

Differing purpose

Substitutes "intention" with "purpose" to shift focus slightly.

Alternative motive

Replaces "intention" with "motive" to suggest a hidden or underlying reason.

Divergent aim

Uses "divergent" and "aim" to denote a separation in goals.

Inconsistent plan

Shifts the focus to a plan that doesn't align with the original intention.

Reverse objective

Emphasizes a complete turnaround in the desired outcome.

Contrary objective

The word 'intention' has been replaced with 'objective'.

Conflicting objective

The word 'intention' has been replaced with 'objective' and 'contrary' with 'conflicting'.

Opposing motivation

Replaces "intention" with "motivation" to focus on the underlying drive.

FAQs

How is "contrary intention" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "contrary intention" indicates that despite a general rule or provision, evidence suggests a different, specific intent was meant. It often requires explicit documentation to be valid.

What's a simple example of "contrary intention"?

Imagine a contract states all disputes go to arbitration. However, a separate clause says intellectual property disputes go to court. The latter shows a "contrary intention" overriding the general arbitration clause.

What can I say instead of "contrary intention"?

You can use alternatives like "opposite intent", "conflicting intention", or "differing purpose" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "contrary intention" or "opposite intention"?

Both "contrary intention" and "opposite intention" are grammatically correct, but "contrary intention" is more frequently used in formal, especially legal, writing. The choice depends on the desired register and context.