contrary to expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'contrary to expectations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something happens that is different from what you expected. For example, "The election results were contrary to expectations, with the opposition party gaining the majority of the votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Contrary to expectations, I clear my plate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The finding was contrary to expectations.

Britannica

Contrary to expectations, other parameters (dissolved iron, ammonium, etc).

Journal of Hydrology

Contrary to expectations, oral contraceptives also did not affect progesterone.

Physiology & Behavior

But Diamond – contrary to expectations – refused to implicate Labour ministers.

The Guardian - Business

Contrary to expectations, Filippo Inzaghi remains the manager of Milan.

The Guardian - Sport

Siena, contrary to expectations, were fighting tooth and nail.

The Guardian - Sport

Contrary to expectations, and rather disappointingly, there wasn't much sex.

The Guardian - Film

Contrary to expectations, younger respondents failed to keep up.

The New York Times

It is not, contrary to expectations, a modest achievement.

The New York Times - Arts

Contrary to expectations, we find no association between marketing investments and design innovations.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to expectations" to introduce a statement that contrasts with what people generally believe or predict. It's most effective when setting up a contrast or highlighting a surprising outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to expectations" as a mere transition phrase. Ensure it genuinely introduces a result that subverts prior assumptions, rather than just connecting two related ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to expectations" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by expressing a contrast or surprise regarding an outcome. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in introducing unexpected results or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to expectations" is a versatile phrase used to introduce surprising or unexpected outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its frequency is high across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. When using it, ensure a genuine contrast with prior assumptions, and consider alternatives like "unexpectedly" or "surprisingly" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpectedly

This single-word adverb directly expresses the element of surprise.

against all odds

This phrase highlights the improbability of the outcome.

surprisingly

Similar to "unexpectedly", but emphasizes the feeling of astonishment.

in an unforeseen turn of events

This longer phrase adds a sense of narrative and emphasizes the unexpected nature of the situation.

as a surprise

This shorter phrase directly points out that something was a surprise.

deviating from the norm

This phrase focuses on the departure from the expected standard or pattern.

in defiance of expectations

This alternative conveys a sense of resistance to what was anticipated.

in an unanticipated manner

This formal alternative emphasizes the lack of anticipation.

in a way that subverts expectations

This alternative suggests an active undermining of what was predicted.

unconventionally

This single word indicates a deviation from accepted or typical practices.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to expectations" in a sentence?

Use "contrary to expectations" to introduce a surprising or unexpected outcome. For example, "Contrary to expectations, the film received positive reviews."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to expectations"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpectedly", "surprisingly", or "against all odds" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "contrary to all expectations"?

While "contrary to expectations" is already strong, adding "all" can emphasize a complete reversal of anticipation. However, it's often unnecessary and can make the sentence sound slightly repetitive.

What's the difference between "contrary to expectations" and "as expected"?

"Contrary to expectations" indicates something happened differently than predicted, while "as expected" signifies an outcome that aligned with prior beliefs or predictions.