contrary to common sentiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to common sentiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an opinion or viewpoint that differs from the general or popular belief. Example: "Contrary to common sentiment, the new policy has proven to be beneficial for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Contrary to common sentiment, however, painting and decorating is not as simple as it looks and a little well-placed advice in advance can go a long way towards helping avert DIY disasters.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Contrary to common sentimentality, I believe our imaginations do have certain limitations.

Huffington Post

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

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

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

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

The New Yorker

The Labour government declared the principle "contrary to common sense" and abolished it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to common sentiment" to introduce a nuanced or less obvious perspective. It's most effective when challenging widely held, but potentially flawed, beliefs.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to common sentiment" merely to sound contrarian. Ensure that your dissenting opinion is well-reasoned and contributes meaningfully to the discussion. Don't just disagree for the sake of it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to common sentiment" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement or idea that opposes a widely held belief or feeling. As Ludwig indicates, it effectively sets up a contrasting viewpoint.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to common sentiment" is a useful phrase for introducing viewpoints that diverge from popular opinion. As Ludwig's analysis and examples show, it is grammatically correct and most commonly used in news and media contexts. While it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that differing opinions are well-supported, it can be a valuable tool for presenting nuanced perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against popular opinion

Replaces "common sentiment" with "popular opinion", emphasizing the disagreement with widely held views.

contrary to prevailing wisdom

Substitutes "common sentiment" with "prevailing wisdom", suggesting a challenge to accepted knowledge.

in defiance of public feeling

Uses stronger language ("defiance") to highlight the opposition to public sentiment.

notwithstanding general belief

A more formal way of expressing disagreement with a widely held belief.

despite widespread acceptance

Focuses on the broad acceptance of an idea that the speaker is challenging.

in opposition to conventional thought

Highlights the contrast with established ways of thinking.

diverging from common wisdom

Emphasizes the act of moving away from accepted wisdom.

at odds with popular thinking

Highlights the conflict or disagreement with common thought.

in contrast to the general view

Directly points out the contrast with the prevailing perspective.

bucking the trend of public opinion

Implies active resistance to a dominant trend in public opinion.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary to common sentiment" to introduce an idea that opposes what most people believe. For instance, "Contrary to common sentiment, the new policy has been very effective".

What phrases are similar to "contrary to common sentiment"?

Similar phrases include "against popular opinion", "contrary to prevailing wisdom", or "despite widespread acceptance".

Is it better to say "contrary to common sentiment" or "contrary to popular belief"?

Both phrases are correct, but "contrary to common sentiment" emphasizes feeling or emotion, while "contrary to popular belief" emphasizes what is widely accepted as fact. Choose the one that better fits the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "contrary to common sentiment"?

Use "contrary to common sentiment" when you want to politely introduce a viewpoint that is different from what most people think or feel. It's a good way to introduce a potentially controversial or unpopular opinion.