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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.
Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
contrary to expectation
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"contrary to expectation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe when something happens differently than what was expected. For example, "The stock market plummeted despite the overwhelming optimism of analysts, contrary to expectation."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
surprisingly
Surprisingly
Unexpectedly
Against all odds
Ironically
based on principle
unforeseen
furthermore enough
who would have thought
as funny as it may be
as weird as it may seem
however improbable it sounds
unexpectedly enough
as funny as it seems
with deep commitment
coincidentally
out of intention
as strange as it may seem
out of danger
out of sentiment
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Contrary to expectation, Pakistan struck back with its air force.
News & Media
Contrary to expectation, the censor board will not be abolished.
News & Media
This is contrary to expectation for eigenvalue problem.
Contrary to expectation, fruiting peaks were neither predictable nor complementary.
Science
Contrary to expectation, most conversational laughter was not a response to jokes or humorous stories.
News & Media
Yet contrary to expectation, the corporation will not be caught on the hop.
News & Media
Contrary to expectation, α common a chain associ-ates with all five immunoglobulin classes.
Science & Research
It worked, contrary to expectation (mine), on so many levels it's hard to tease them apart.
News & Media
Contrary to expectation, odd lot investors are paying higher prices than round lot investors.
Contrary to expectation, no evidence of a coherent poleward coastal flow across the gulf was found.
Contrary to expectation, about 94% of these areas were in habitats created by human activities.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "contrary to expectation" to clearly signal a deviation from what might be logically assumed. This phrase works well when setting up a contrast or highlighting an unforeseen outcome.
Common error
Avoid using "contrary to expectation" when a simple negation would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For example, instead of "Contrary to expectation, the team did not win", use "The team did not win" if the expectation isn't central to your point.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "contrary to expectation" functions as a discourse marker or transitional phrase. It serves to introduce a statement that deviates from what is normally anticipated or predicted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.
Frequent in
Science
47%
News & Media
37%
Wiki
5%
Less common in
Academia
2%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "contrary to expectation" is a versatile phrase used to indicate surprise or highlight outcomes that deviate from predictions. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in both scientific and news contexts. While a common phrase, ensure that its use adds meaningful contrast rather than unnecessary verbosity. Concise alternatives like "unexpectedly" or "surprisingly" can be used depending on the context. When using this phrase, ensure it directly precedes the unexpected event or outcome to clearly signal the deviation.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Contrary to what was anticipated
More verbose restatement of the original phrase.
Against expectations
Shortened and slightly less formal version.
Surprisingly
Similar to unexpectedly, but slightly more emphatic.
Unexpectedly
A simpler adverb conveying surprise.
Against all odds
Emphasizes overcoming significant obstacles or improbabilities.
In an unforeseen manner
Highlights the unpredictability of the event.
In defiance of expectations
Highlights a deliberate contradiction of what was predicted.
As it turned out
Indicates a revelation of the true outcome.
Ironically
Highlights a situation where the opposite of what was expected occurs.
Deviating from the norm
Focuses on the departure from typical or expected behavior.
FAQs
How can I use "contrary to expectation" in a sentence?
Use "contrary to expectation" to introduce a statement that is the opposite of what was predicted or anticipated. For example: "Contrary to expectation, the stock market rose sharply after the economic announcement."
What's a more concise way to express "contrary to expectation"?
Alternatives such as "unexpectedly", "surprisingly", or /s/against+all+odds can often replace "contrary to expectation" for a more concise statement.
Is "contrary to expectation" formal or informal?
"Contrary to expectation" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it leans slightly towards the formal side. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use it.
How does "contrary to expectation" differ from "in contrast to expectation"?
Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "contrary to expectation" emphasizes the element of surprise or unexpectedness more strongly. "In contrast to expectation" is a slightly more neutral observation.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested