contrary sign

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrary sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It expresses a contrast or opposition between two ideas, opinions, or opinions and can be used in many different contexts to indicate that something takes precedence over something else. Example: Despite the survey's results, there is a contrary sign that the situation is improving.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The head of one of the world's biggest mutual-fund companies argues privately that past performance is not only a false guide but if anything a contrary sign.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But there are contrary signs that Clinton Street will continue to flourish.

The New York Times - Magazine

On the contrary, signs of it can be detected from the beginning of extra-uterine existence; it reaches a first culminating point at or before the fifth year ("early period"), after which it is inhibited or interrupted ("latency period") until the age of puberty, which is the second climax of its development.

Britannica

Despite initial promises to the contrary, Paes signed a decree earlier this year for the forcible relocation of many of the hold-outs, including De Oliveira.

The Guardian

He did not dwell on culturally divisive social issues such as abortion and gun control; to the contrary, he signed gun-control measures backed by Democrats.

The Washington Post

On the contrary, the signs are that the ACA is lowering healthcare's demand on resources by reducing the federal deficit and moderating the healthcare inflation rate.

Los Angeles Times

To the contrary, in signing a new contract to remain at the show for at least two more years, he tacitly ratified the plan to remove her.

Huffington Post

Of special importance is however that the receiver has to infer the signaler's meaning, which is, contrary to signs, not codified in the behavior.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

On the contrary, they should sign him to a contract now.

The New York Times

It is demonstrated that consolidity changes are contrary (opposite in sign) to changes of both stability and controllability.

Journal of Advanced Research

The spatial profiles of the ion concentrations and electrostatic potential reveal a complex dependence on the kinetic parameters and the imposed current, in which the diffuse charge at each electrode and the total membrane charge can have either sign, contrary perhaps to intuition.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary sign", ensure the context clearly establishes what the sign is in contrast to. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary sign" when a simple contradiction suffices. The phrase is most effective when indicating a subtle or unexpected opposition rather than a direct negation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary sign" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing a signal or indication that opposes a previous statement, trend, or expectation. Ludwig's examples show it in contexts where conflicting information is present.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary sign" serves to highlight opposition or contradiction, indicating that the overall situation might not be as straightforward as initially perceived. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare. It is found in contexts spanning from news and media to scientific and academic discussions. The phrase is typically used to draw attention to conflicting signals or evidence. Alternatives such as "opposing indication", "conflicting signal", and "reverse indicator" offer similar but slightly nuanced ways of conveying the same basic idea. Using "contrary sign" effectively requires awareness of what the sign opposes and the potential subtlety of that opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposing indication

Replaces "contrary" with "opposing", focusing on the conflicting nature of the sign.

conflicting signal

Uses "conflicting" instead of "contrary", emphasizing the disagreement between signals.

reverse indicator

Employs "reverse" to highlight the inverted or opposite nature of the sign.

inconsistent signal

Highlights the lack of agreement or coherence in the signal.

contradictory evidence

Highlights evidence that clashes with other information or expectations.

opposite trend

Suggests a trend moving in the opposite direction, providing a more dynamic sense.

divergent sign

Implies the sign is moving away from a common point or trend.

counter evidence

Indicates evidence that opposes or contradicts a prevailing view or claim.

negative indication

Uses "negative" to suggest an unfavorable or adverse sign.

anomalous sign

Emphasizes the irregularity or abnormality of the sign.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary sign" to indicate an opposing signal or evidence, such as: "Despite the positive reports, the declining sales figures are a "contrary sign"."

What's an alternative to saying "contrary sign"?

Alternatives include "opposing indication", "conflicting signal", or "reverse indicator", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "contrary sign"?

It's best used when you want to highlight a contrast or opposition that might not be immediately obvious. If the contradiction is straightforward, simpler language might be more effective.

What does "contrary sign" imply about the situation?

It suggests that there are conflicting signals or evidence, making the overall interpretation or prediction more complex and uncertain. A "contradictory evidence" is present.