contrary role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary role" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a position or function that opposes or contrasts with another role or expectation. Example: "In this project, she took on a contrary role, challenging the team's conventional approaches and encouraging innovative thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

They seemed to hold little promise in spinal-cord repair; in fact, they appeared to play a contrary role.

The New Yorker

Fortunately, her U.S. boss was an excellent contrary role model, having "raised four children" and still reached "the top level".

Science Magazine

Hurt played a contrary role in another dystopian film: Winston Smith, a victim of the state in the film adaptation of Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Wikipedia

Additionally, there is a critical interplay within the liver between the primary role of protection against infections and the seemingly contrary role of maintaining tolerance.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

On the contrary, role security did not significantly change due to the intervention (β = 0.11; p = 0.58; 95%-CI −0.31-0.54).

BMC Family Practice

The contrary role of BMP and FGF signaling pathways in OA was also described recently in respect of extracellular heparan sulfatases Sulf-1 and Sulf-2, which are found over expressed in OA cartilage.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thus, these evidences indicated that TLRs have contrary roles on malaria infection.

Journal of Medical Colleges of PLA

Educational historians have usually cast Eliot as the progressive force in American higher education while painting Porter and Wilson in diminished or even contrary roles.

Cornell University

The reason could be attributed to the contrary roles of dissolved and undissolved lithium salt played in the polymer matrix, which was discussed in detail in the paper.

Acta Materialia

On the contrary the role of the recommendation of engineers, have a high impact on the subsequent decisions by the other stakeholders.

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

On the contrary, the role of expert sonographers as a resource to provide practical training to radiology residents has not been considered and can be explored.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary role", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the role is in opposition to. Providing specific details about the standard or expected function enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary role" when the intention is simply to describe a different, but not necessarily opposing, function. Use "alternative role" instead to denote a neutral difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary role" functions primarily as a descriptive term. It specifies that something or someone is acting in opposition to a norm or expectation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered correct and serves to highlight the opposition in a function or position.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary role" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, employed to describe a function or position that opposes or contrasts with an established norm or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating a degree of formality and precision. While not highly frequent, the phrase is useful for highlighting unexpected or opposing behaviors. When using "contrary role", ensure the context clearly establishes the standard function being opposed, and consider alternatives like "opposite role" or "opposing function" to fine-tune the specific nuance. Be cautious not to confuse "contrary role" with the more neutral "alternative role", which simply indicates a different function without implying opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite role

Emphasizes direct opposition in function or character.

opposing function

Focuses specifically on the conflicting nature of the functions involved.

conflicting role

Highlights the conflict or disagreement inherent in the role.

inverse role

Implies a reversal or mirror-image relationship in the function.

antithetical role

Suggests a fundamental opposition or incompatibility.

counter role

Focuses on the act of countering or opposing another role.

reverse function

Highlights the inverted or backward nature of the action.

alternative role

Emphasizes the possibility of a different or substitute function.

dissimilar function

Focuses on lack of resemblance or similarity in purpose.

divergent role

Highlights the act of moving in a different direction or diverging from a norm.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary role" to describe a situation where someone or something is acting in opposition to an expected or established function. For example: "In spinal-cord repair, certain responses appear to play a "contrary role"".

What's a good substitute for "contrary role"?

Alternatives for "contrary role" include "opposite role", "opposing function", or "conflicting role", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "contrary role" in formal writing?

Yes, "contrary role" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts where precise language is required to describe opposing functions or behaviors.

What is the difference between "contrary role" and "alternative role"?

"Contrary role" implies a direct opposition or conflict with an established function, while "alternative role" simply indicates a different function without necessarily being in opposition.