contrary to common conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to common conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an idea or belief that goes against widely held opinions or beliefs. Example: "Contrary to common conviction, recent studies suggest that a high-fat diet may not be as harmful as previously thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Contrary to common conviction, ethyl alcohol is not inherently the least toxic of alcohols.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sentence was, he said, "contrary to common judicial sense, good sense, and worse than the worst expected".

The Guardian

That seemed contrary to common sense.

The New York Times - Sports

Contrary to common sense, Stalin rejected our suggestion.

The Guardian

Contrary to common belief, these things are instinctive".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This result runs contrary to common marketing practice.

The New York Times

But contrary to common assumption, earmarks don't increase spending.

The Washington Post

"That is contrary to common sense," he added.

The New York Times

Mainly because the boss's wife was not an elected official empowered to give a direct dismissal order, the independent counsel did not think he could get a conviction, but concluded that her sworn denial of a "role" was a "strained interpretation of the language" and "is contrary to common sense".

The New York Times

Contrary to common assumptions, the main obstacle is not Tehran's determination to enrich uranium.

The Guardian - Opinion

Contrary to common assumptions, Frank Lloyd Wright's ramp is hardly a fluid experience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to common conviction" to introduce a statement that directly opposes a belief widely held by a particular group or society. Make sure to provide evidence or reasoning to support your counter-argument.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to common conviction" when you simply have a different preference or opinion, rather than a challenge to a broadly held belief. The phrase implies a significant deviation from established thought, not just personal taste.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to common conviction" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause by expressing a contrast or opposition to a generally accepted idea or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase introduces an idea that goes against the norm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary to common conviction" is a useful tool for introducing statements that oppose widely held beliefs. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and signals a deviation from conventional understanding. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is found in formal contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, it's important to provide evidence or reasoning to support your counter-argument and avoid using it for simple preferences or minor disagreements. Alternatives like "against popular belief" or "in opposition to common opinion" can be used to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against popular belief

Replaces "common conviction" with "popular belief", focusing on widespread acceptance.

in opposition to common opinion

Emphasizes disagreement with a generally held view.

contrary to widespread assumption

Focuses on challenging assumptions rather than convictions.

defying conventional wisdom

Implies a challenge to established knowledge.

challenging accepted notions

Highlights the act of questioning established ideas.

at odds with prevailing thought

Indicates a conflict with current thinking.

running counter to general understanding

Stresses the opposition to typical comprehension.

disagreeing with common perception

Focuses on differing viewpoints rather than challenging beliefs.

in contrast to popular thinking

Highlights the difference between an idea and the prevailing thought.

bucking the trend of accepted knowledge

Suggests resistance against a widely accepted idea.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to common conviction" in a sentence?

Use "contrary to common conviction" to introduce a statement that opposes a widely held belief. For instance, "Contrary to common conviction, recent studies suggest that a high-fat diet may not be as harmful as previously thought."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to common conviction"?

Alternatives include "against popular belief", "in opposition to common opinion", or "contrary to widespread assumption", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "contrary to common belief" or "contrary to common conviction"?

"Contrary to common belief" is generally more common and informal. "Contrary to common conviction" is more formal and suggests a deeply held or formally expressed belief.

When is it inappropriate to use "contrary to common conviction"?

It is inappropriate when you are expressing a personal preference or minor disagreement rather than challenging a significantly held and widely accepted belief. Ensure the statement truly goes against established thought.