contrary to belief

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrary to belief" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that goes against commonly held beliefs or expectations. Example: Contrary to belief, the new study showed that chocolate can actually be beneficial for heart health.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Nobody gave us anything, contrary to belief, on or off the floor.

The New York Times - Sports

6. Contrary to belief, the beat-up look also cleans up well.

The New York Times

Contrary to belief, Frank says, those on middle and low incomes are not influenced greatly by what the super-rich get up to.

The Guardian - Business

Dr. Ayala said he remained surprised at how many Americans believe the theory of evolution is contrary to belief in God, or that the theory is erroneous or even fraudulent.

The New York Times - Science

The Independent revealed last month that, contrary to belief, eight of the terror suspects who had been named at the time were not refugees, and all had EU passports.

Independent

Contrary to belief in some quarters, successful nation states need not be monoglot or racially homogenous; the US and rainbow South Africa are good examples, and enjoy a shared popular loyalty.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Contrary to beliefs, you can still get a tan with sunscreen on.

WikiHow

Contrary to popular belief, law is a helping profession.

Stanford University

"Contrary to popular belief, you never become your parents' parent.

The New York Times - Health

Contrary to common belief, these things are instinctive".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Contrary to popular belief, then, moderate Republicans still exist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary to belief", ensure that the statement following it is supported by evidence or reasoning to add credibility to the contrasting claim.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something contradicts a common belief, it is automatically correct. Always verify the validity of the new information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to belief" serves as a discourse marker, specifically a contrastive marker. It introduces a statement that opposes a commonly held assumption or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples where the phrase prefaces a surprising or opposing fact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to belief" is a versatile phrase used to introduce statements that challenge common assumptions. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase functions as a contrastive marker, often appearing in news, academic, and general informational contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it’s crucial to support the contrasting claim with evidence. Common errors include mistaking correlation for causation when debunking a belief. Related phrases include "contrary to popular opinion" and "despite common assumptions". The key takeaway is to use this phrase judiciously to promote understanding and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to popular opinion

Replaces "belief" with "opinion", focusing on widespread public thought.

contrary to what many think

Emphasizes the divergence from a general consensus or assumption.

despite common assumptions

Highlights the contrast against typical assumptions people make.

in opposition to the prevailing view

Presents a viewpoint that is against what is generally accepted or dominant.

against the grain of conventional wisdom

Suggests a defiance of established and widely accepted beliefs.

defying common perception

Emphasizes the act of challenging a widely held perception.

in contrast to general understanding

Highlights a difference from a standard or typical understanding of a topic.

notwithstanding widespread notions

Indicates that something is true despite existing widespread ideas.

bucking the trend of conventional thought

Implies a resistance to standard ways of thinking or believing.

flying in the face of accepted dogma

Suggests a direct contradiction of firmly established beliefs or doctrines.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to belief" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to belief" to introduce a statement that opposes a commonly held assumption. For example, "Contrary to belief, the Earth is not perfectly round".

What phrases are similar to "contrary to belief"?

Similar phrases include "contrary to popular opinion", "despite common assumptions", and "in opposition to the prevailing view".

Is "contrary to belief" formal or informal?

"Contrary to belief" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but should be used judiciously to maintain credibility.

What is the difference between "contrary to belief" and "contrary to expectations"?

"Contrary to belief" addresses assumptions or convictions. "Contrary to expectations" addresses anticipated outcomes. They aren't interchangeable, but are usually related.