contrary to myth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to myth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something is different from what is commonly believed or assumed to be true. Example: "Contrary to myth, the ancient Greeks did not believe the Earth was flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Contrary to myth, lemmings do not commit mass suicide.

The New York Times - Science

Contrary to myth, traditional gatekeeping roles are here to stay.

The Guardian - Tech

Finally, we show that, contrary to myth, many games do not have first-mover advantages.

Yale University

Contrary to myth, beggar-thy-neighbour policy was the global cure.

The Telegraph

(The catalog points out that contrary to myth, Henry never suffered from syphilis.

The New York Times - Arts

Contrary to myth, coming off cannabis can cause withdrawal symptoms - including insomnia, irritability and physical discomfort.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The very existence of such trading strategies, which may be classified under the umbrella of "latency arbitrage," and a specific damages estimate are contrary to "myth-busting" efforts practiced in some industry circles.

Columbia University

It was not just dinosaurs that died either, contrary to myths about the Ice Age - around 93percentt of mammal species were killed off as well, according to a separate research study by scientists at the University of Bath.

HuffPost

Not at all -- contrary to myths perpetuated in the media, the government's own data shows that white people are just as likely to use or sell marijuana as black or Latino people.

Huffington Post

Contrary to myths, it cannot cause any sort of damage or disease, including cancer or brain damage.

WikiHow

Contrary to the myth, Cuba now has some shanty towns.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to myth" to directly challenge widely held but inaccurate beliefs. Ensure that you provide evidence or reasoning to support the corrected understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to myth" when addressing personal opinions or lesser-known misconceptions. This phrase is most effective when correcting widespread and established false beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to myth" functions as an introductory prepositional phrase that signals the intention to dispute a widely held, but false belief. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to indicate a difference from what's commonly believed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to myth" is a useful phrase for correcting common misconceptions and presenting accurate information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With primary usage in news and media, "contrary to myth" serves to dispel false beliefs across various topics. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide supporting evidence or reasoning to substantiate your corrected understanding. Remember to use it when addressing widespread misconceptions, and avoid using it for personal opinions or niche inaccuracies. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "contrary to myth" to clarify and inform.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contrary to popular belief

Replaces "myth" with "popular belief", emphasizing widespread acceptance of the misconception.

Despite the myth

Highlights the persistence of the myth despite evidence to the contrary.

Contrary to the common perception

Focuses on the difference between reality and how something is generally perceived.

Contrary to what many believe

Directly addresses the widespread but inaccurate understanding.

In opposition to the myth

Emphasizes a direct contradiction of the myth.

The reality is different from the myth

Explicitly states the disparity between the myth and the actual situation.

Dispelling the myth

Highlights the act of correcting a false belief.

Challenging the myth

Focuses on questioning the validity of the myth.

Breaking the myth

Emphasizes the act of dismantling a false belief.

The truth is, contrary to the myth

Introduces the actual truth as a direct contrast to the prevailing myth.

FAQs

How do I use "contrary to myth" in a sentence?

Start by stating "contrary to myth", then present the accurate information that corrects the misconception. For example, "Contrary to myth, lemmings do not commit mass suicide."

What are some alternatives to saying "contrary to myth"?

You can use alternatives like "contrary to popular belief", "despite the myth", or "contrary to the common perception" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to disprove a myth when using "contrary to myth"?

Yes, it's best to provide evidence or reasoning that contradicts the myth you're addressing. This strengthens your argument and clarifies the accurate information.

What's the difference between "contrary to myth" and "contrary to popular opinion"?

"Contrary to myth" usually addresses a specific, often long-standing, false belief, while "contrary to popular opinion" addresses a current viewpoint that may not be universally accepted.