contrary to common wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to common wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when presenting an idea or opinion that goes against widely accepted beliefs or assumptions. Example: "Contrary to common wisdom, 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

8 human-written examples

A Japanese study found that contrary to common wisdom, those considered to be more trusting were shrewder in potentially risky social interactions than distrusters.

The New York Times

Contrary to common wisdom, Palestine is not the fount of that region's problems, most of which stem from a deeper failure of politics in Arab countries.

The Economist

Learning a foreign language is never easy, but contrary to common wisdom, it is possible for adults to process a language the same way a native speaker does.

The New York Times - Science

One has only to look at the years between 1992 and 2005 to know that, contrary to common wisdom, the Conservative party won't always do absolutely anything to get into power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Contrary to common wisdom, JD Samson is not in the process of becoming a man; rather she is a self-defined "gender outlaw" who is just really good at blurring the lines.

The New York Times

A cosmologist has created a mathematical model that he says shows space-time, contrary to common wisdom, did not begin with the Big Bang.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That seemed contrary to common sense.

The New York Times - Sports

Contrary to common belief, these things are instinctive".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Contrary to common sense, Stalin rejected our suggestion.

The Guardian

This result runs contrary to common marketing practice.

The New York Times

Outraging public decency contrary to common law.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to common wisdom" to introduce a surprising or unexpected finding that challenges established beliefs. This can immediately capture the reader's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to common wisdom" to introduce points that are already widely debated or understood as nuanced. The phrase is most effective when genuinely challenging a deeply ingrained belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to common wisdom" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement by indicating that it goes against what is generally believed or accepted as true. Ludwig confirms this with examples of its usage in introducing contrasting ideas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to common wisdom" is an adverbial phrase used to introduce ideas that challenge widely accepted beliefs. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase, deemed correct and usable, is most frequently found in news, media, and science contexts. When employing this phrase, provide sound reasoning and support for your counter-argument to enhance credibility. Remember that while "contrary to common wisdom" is most effective when genuinely challenging deeply ingrained assumptions, it should be used judiciously. Alternatives include phrases like "against popular belief" and "contrary to popular opinion". Overall, "contrary to common wisdom" can make your writing more impactful if used thoughtfully to introduce novel or surprising perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Against popular belief

This alternative uses "belief" instead of "wisdom", focusing on widely held convictions.

Contrary to popular opinion

This phrase replaces "wisdom" with "opinion", emphasizing a contrast with what many people think.

In contrast to popular belief

This alternative highlights a difference with widely held convictions.

Contrary to conventional thinking

This alternative uses "thinking" instead of "wisdom", highlighting a challenge to standard thought processes.

Opposing conventional wisdom

This is a more direct and forceful way to express disagreement with established ideas.

Challenging common assumptions

This phrase uses a more active construction, focusing on the act of questioning widespread assumptions.

Defying popular assumptions

A more forceful alternative, emphasizing the act of going against common assumptions.

In defiance of received wisdom

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of opposition to established knowledge.

Against the grain of conventional thought

This metaphorical phrase suggests going against the natural tendency of established thought.

Challenging the status quo

Focuses on questioning and resisting established norms or beliefs.

FAQs

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

Begin your sentence with "contrary to common wisdom" to introduce an idea that challenges what people generally believe. For example, "Contrary to common wisdom, those considered to be more trusting were shrewder in potentially risky social interactions than distrusters."

What are some alternatives to saying "contrary to common wisdom"?

You can use alternatives such as "against popular belief", "contrary to popular opinion", or "challenging common assumptions" depending on the specific context.

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

Both phrases are acceptable, but "contrary to common wisdom" implies a challenge to more deeply rooted or established ideas, while "contrary to popular belief" focuses on widespread but possibly less substantiated opinions.

What's the difference between "contrary to common wisdom" and "in my opinion"?

"In my opinion" introduces a personal viewpoint, whereas "contrary to common wisdom" introduces a viewpoint that opposes what is generally accepted as true or sensible, often supported by evidence or reasoning.