contrary to common view

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to common view" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement or opinion that opposes widely held beliefs or perceptions. Example: "Contrary to common view, recent studies suggest that a high-fat diet may not be as harmful as previously thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

BioMed Research International

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

The New York Times - Magazine

The New York Times - Sports

The Guardian

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The New York Times

The Guardian - Opinion

The New York Times - Arts

The New Yorker

The Guardian

BBC

Handbook of Experimental Economics Results

SEP

TechCrunch

Building and Environment

Vice

Huffington Post

The New York Times - Books

Automatica

Journal of Hydrology

Plosone

Age and Ageing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These features, in our view and contrary to common opinion, seem to indicate that they are caused by a direct impact on the area involved.

BioMed Research International

Contrary to common belief, Kraepelin's original view of MDI did not involve "classic episodic" bipolar disorder, but rather the reverse: he held that mixed states were the most common mood state, and polarity was irrelevant to diagnosis: what are now called "unipolar" depressive episodes were viewed by Kraepelin as part of MDI (Ghaemi and Dalley 2014).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

"The subordination of the political point of view to the military would be contrary to common sense," Clausewitz writes, "for policy has declared the War; it is the intelligent faculty, War only the instrument".

The New York Times - Magazine

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary to common view", follow it with specific evidence or reasoning to support the opposing perspective. This strengthens your argument and makes it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to common view" simply to sound contrarian. Ensure that you have a well-supported and logical reason for disagreeing with the prevailing opinion. This can make the phrase more convincing and less dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to common view" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an introductory element to a sentence. It serves to signal a disagreement or deviation from a widely accepted belief or perspective. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary to common view" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signals disagreement with a widely held belief. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in News & Media and Scientific sources. While not exceedingly common, its purpose is to introduce an alternative perspective supported by evidence. Alternatives like "against popular belief" or "in opposition to common wisdom" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against popular belief

Focuses on contradicting what many people believe.

contrary to popular opinion

Similar to "contrary to common view", but emphasizes public sentiment.

in opposition to common wisdom

Highlights a clash with accepted knowledge or understanding.

defying conventional thought

Emphasizes the act of challenging established ideas.

at odds with general perception

Indicates a conflict with how things are typically seen.

in contrast to prevailing notions

Highlights a difference from current widespread ideas.

in disagreement with accepted norms

Focuses on conflicting with established standards or practices.

challenging the mainstream perspective

Highlights the act of questioning dominant viewpoints.

diverging from standard understanding

Indicates a departure from typical comprehension.

unlike the generally held idea

Directly states that something is different from a common belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary to common view" to introduce a statement that opposes a widely held belief. For example, "Contrary to common view, studies show that moderate coffee consumption can have health benefits".

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

Similar phrases include "against popular belief", "contrary to popular opinion", or "in opposition to common wisdom".

Is "contrary to common view" formal or informal?

"Contrary to common view" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose language that aligns with their expectations. Phrases like "defying conventional thought" might be better alternatives in formal settings.

When should I avoid using "contrary to common view"?

Avoid using "contrary to common view" if you lack evidence to support your opposing statement. It's also best to avoid it when the "common view" is based on established facts or scientific consensus, unless you have compelling evidence to the contrary.