contrary to conventional thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to conventional thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when presenting an idea or perspective that challenges or opposes widely accepted beliefs or norms. Example: "Contrary to conventional thinking, recent studies suggest that a high-fat diet may actually be beneficial for some individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Contrary to conventional thinking, they added, buying more of Japan Telecom would actually improve Vodafone's balance sheet.

The New York Times

Contrary to conventional thinking, these are positive signs of excesses being corrected rather than cause for alarm.

Forbes

Contrary to conventional thinking, productive capital does not "enhance" labor productivity (labor's ability to produce economic goods).

Huffington Post

Thus, contrary to conventional thinking, synonymous codon substitutions may not always be silent; changing codon usage frequency affects protein structure and function, and the frequency with which codons are used imparts vital information for the development of secondary and tertiary protein structure.

Plosone

Contrary to conventional thinking, the adverse consequences of chronic disease are not an exclusive problem of high-income nations.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Contrary to conventional thinking, after drug loading into the micellar core, the hydrodynamic diameter of resulting micelles actually showed a significant decrease in size.

Biomacromolecules

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, I'm thinking that maybe the "kids' table" debate might prove to be the more interesting of the two.

Huffington Post

Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, awards shows are not dying.

The New York Times

But contrary to conventional wisdom, Bitcoin is not anonymous.

The New York Times

First, Purnell is – contrary to conventional wisdom – highly unlikely to run for the leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last year he proved that, contrary to conventional wisdom, legal problems don't actually help rappers' careers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that you provide clear and convincing evidence to support your counter-argument. Back up your claims with data, research, or logical reasoning to make your perspective more credible.

Common error

Avoid presenting an idea as "contrary to conventional thinking" without providing adequate support. Ensure your alternative perspective is well-researched and logically sound, otherwise, you risk undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to conventional thinking" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement or idea that opposes commonly held beliefs or norms. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to set up a contrasting viewpoint. The examples in Ludwig showcase its role in challenging established perspectives across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary to conventional thinking" is a useful tool for introducing ideas that challenge commonly held beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide strong evidence and logical reasoning to support your alternative perspective. Alternatives such as "opposing established beliefs" or "challenging traditional wisdom" can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember to always back up your claims and avoid making assertions without sufficient support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to widespread assumptions

This option broadens the scope to include assumptions held by a large number of people.

opposing established beliefs

This alternative directly replaces "conventional thinking" with "established beliefs", focusing on the contrast in viewpoints.

challenging traditional wisdom

This phrase uses "traditional wisdom" instead of "conventional thinking", emphasizing the act of questioning established ideas.

defying popular opinion

This option highlights the act of going against what most people believe, rather than focusing on the thought process.

in contrast to accepted norms

This alternative shifts the focus to societal norms rather than individual thought, implying a broader scope of disagreement.

disagreeing with prevailing views

This phrase directly states the disagreement, focusing on the prevalent perspectives.

subverting common assumptions

This option emphasizes the act of undermining generally held assumptions, suggesting a more active challenge.

rethinking established paradigms

This phrase is stronger and more suitable for academic contexts, referring to a fundamental shift in understanding.

at odds with orthodox views

This option uses "orthodox views" to highlight the conflict with established or traditional perspectives.

counter to mainstream ideology

This alternative targets a broader ideological framework, suggesting a conflict with dominant belief systems.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to conventional thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to conventional thinking" to introduce an idea that opposes commonly held beliefs. For example, "Contrary to conventional thinking, remote work can increase productivity".

What are some alternatives to "contrary to conventional thinking"?

Some alternatives include "opposing established beliefs", "challenging traditional wisdom", or "defying popular opinion". Choose the one that best fits your context.

Is it better to say "contrary to conventional wisdom" or "contrary to conventional thinking"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "contrary to conventional thinking" focuses more on the thought process, while "contrary to conventional wisdom" implies a broader, more established set of beliefs.

When is it appropriate to use "contrary to conventional thinking" in writing?

Use it when you want to introduce a perspective that challenges or contradicts commonly accepted ideas. Make sure you have sufficient evidence to support your claim and explain why the conventional thinking might be flawed.