contrary to initial belief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to initial belief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is different from what was previously thought or assumed. Example: "Contrary to initial belief, the experiment yielded results that were completely unexpected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, contrary to initial beliefs, the lethal activity of RIPK3 is not influenced by the absence of phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGand) andynaminin 1 like (DNM1L, best known as dynamin-related protein 1, DRP1).

Cell Death and Differentiation

Contrary to initial beliefs that miRNA-seq data will not require sophisticated normalization [ 45], we and others have observed that simply adjusting miRNA counts to the sequencing depth is inadequate [ 17, 18].

Briefings in Bioinformatics

Contrary to initial reports, the cat survived.

Independent

Once the colony's backers discovered that Chesapeake Bay was, contrary to their initial belief, laden with neither gold and silver nor a passage to the Pacific, they tried everything they could think of to salvage their investment.

The New York Times - Books

Fosca learns, however, that contrary to his initial belief, time becomes his enemy when it stretches endlessly before him.

SEP

Contrary to the initial belief that fat accumulation in the liver is a benign condition, several studies have established hepatic fat storage as a risk factor for the progression of hepatic fibrosis [ 32].

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

Contrary to popular belief, law is a helping profession.

Stanford University

Contrary to popular belief, the rainforest floor is not impassable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, contrary to popular belief, so is LeBron James.

The New York Times

Contrary to popular belief, it is not fast food.

Independent

Contrary to popular belief, Twinkies do not last forever.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to initial belief" to introduce a surprising fact or a revised understanding, enhancing the impact of the new information.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to initial belief" when merely presenting a different perspective, rather than disproving an actual prior belief. It's crucial the initial 'belief' was genuinely held and is now shown to be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to initial belief" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an introductory element in a sentence. It serves to highlight a contrast between a current understanding and a previously held assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary to initial belief" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce a contrast with a prior assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various writing styles. While suitable for academic and scientific contexts, its clarity makes it equally useful in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that a genuine, previously held belief is being contradicted, and choose semantically similar alternatives like "in contrast to original expectations" for stylistic variation. Remember that while it's good style to use the phrase "contrary to initial belief" it is always important to maintain a critical approach when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to what was initially thought

Replaces "belief" with "what was initially thought", emphasizing the element of thought or consideration.

against initial assumptions

Uses "assumptions" instead of "belief", highlighting the role of presuppositions.

in contrast to original expectations

Substitutes "belief" with "expectations", focusing on anticipated outcomes.

different from what we initially believed

Rephrases to clarify a personal or collective change in understanding.

not as initially presumed

Uses "presumed" instead of "believed", implying an assumption made without solid evidence.

diverging from initial understanding

Emphasizes a departure from a former comprehension or grasp of something.

reversing initial opinions

Highlights a change or reversal of previously held opinions.

unlike what was first considered

Shifts the focus to an initial consideration that has since been revised.

contrary to original assessment

Uses "assessment" to suggest an evaluation process that led to an initial conclusion.

in opposition to the initial perception

Highlights that the perception was not right in the first place.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary to initial belief" to introduce information that contradicts a previously held idea. For example, "Contrary to initial belief, the experiment yielded positive results."

What's a more formal way to say "contrary to initial belief"?

A more formal alternative could be "in contrast to original expectations" or "against initial assumptions" depending on the specific context.

What words can I use instead of "belief" in the phrase "contrary to initial belief"?

You can replace "belief" with words like "assumption", "expectation", or "presumption" to fine-tune the meaning.

Is "contrary to initial belief" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "contrary to initial belief" is suitable for academic writing, especially when discussing how understanding of a topic has evolved or changed based on new evidence or research.