contrary to initial assumptions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to initial assumptions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or outcome that differs from what was originally believed or expected. Example: "Contrary to initial assumptions, the experiment yielded results that were far more significant than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Contrary to initial reports, the cat survived.

Independent

Autopsy reports indicate that, contrary to initial media reports, no bullets hit Brown in the back.

The New Yorker

He was not carrying any further explosives on his body, contrary to initial reports.

The Guardian

Contrary to initial fears, most patients experienced a mild clinical course.

Critical Care

Contrary to their initial assumptions, slavery proved to be deeply entrenched, and slaveholders deeply committed to protecting it against all enemies.

The New York Times

Contrary to our initial assumptions, despite the moderately productive soil, communities of rosette forbs were very slow to invade with taller, leafier stem species.

Landscape and Urban Planning

And contrary to their initial assumptions, SAP managers found they could even supervise program participants remotely, as long as buddies and mentors provided support locally.

Harvard Business Review

This finding is contrary to our initial assumptions as we expected a positive relationship especially for boys who in general have a higher affinity towards ICT use in school than girls do (Acar 2015).

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Thus, contrary to our initial assumption, it is not needed to remove low-contributing constructs from bug localization models based on structured information retrieval.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Since the vector δ u j was assumed to be characterised by the phase j ϕ j (see Eq. (42)), the phase factor Γ ( 1 ) = 2 π i m would imply (through Eq. (46)) that ϕ k has to be shifted by some amount, contrary to the initial assumption.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Additionally, contrary to our initial assumption, not all ophthalmologists in our sample can necessarily be assumed to have been trained in cataract surgery (Serge Resnikoff, personal communication).

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary to initial assumptions", ensure that you clearly state what the initial assumptions were to provide context for the deviation. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to initial assumptions" without specifying what those assumptions were. Failing to do so can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to initial assumptions" serves as a transitional phrase, indicating a contrast or contradiction to previously held beliefs or expectations. It functions to introduce information that deviates from what was originally presumed.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary to initial assumptions" is a grammatically sound transitional phrase used to signal a deviation from previously held beliefs or expectations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness but indicates a lack of diverse source examples, leading to a neutral formality rating and an identified potential for vagueness in usage. To maximize clarity, always specify the initial assumptions when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite to initial expectations

Replaces "assumptions" with "expectations" and "contrary to" with "opposite to", slightly altering the emphasis.

in contrast to prior beliefs

Substitutes "initial assumptions" with "prior beliefs", highlighting the change in understanding.

differing from original hypotheses

Uses "hypotheses" instead of "assumptions", more suitable for scientific or research contexts.

unlike preliminary suppositions

Replaces "initial assumptions" with the more formal "preliminary suppositions".

deviating from early estimates

Emphasizes the difference from numerical or quantitative assessments.

at odds with starting premises

Highlights the conflict with the foundational ideas or premises.

against original presumptions

Uses "presumptions" as a synonym for assumptions, suggesting a possible lack of evidence.

belied by initial forecasts

Implies that the initial forecasts were proven wrong by subsequent events or data.

counter to first impressions

Focuses on how the reality differs from the initial or immediate understanding.

contrary to what was first thought

A more verbose and explanatory alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "contrary to initial assumptions" in a sentence?

Start by stating the original belief or expectation, then use "contrary to initial assumptions" to introduce the contrasting information. For example: "It was initially believed that the project would fail, but "contrary to initial assumptions", it achieved remarkable success."

What are some alternatives to using "contrary to initial assumptions"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "opposite to initial expectations", "in contrast to prior beliefs", or "differing from original hypotheses".

Is it better to use "contrary to initial assumption" or "contrary to initial assumptions"?

The plural form, "assumptions", is generally preferred because it acknowledges that decisions and expectations are often based on multiple factors, not just a single assumption. However, if you're referring to one specific assumption, the singular form is acceptable.

What's the difference between "contrary to initial assumptions" and "despite initial expectations"?

"Contrary to initial assumptions" directly contradicts what was previously believed, while "despite initial expectations" implies that the outcome occurred even though the expectations suggested otherwise. The former is a stronger divergence than the latter.