contrary to one another

USAGE SUMMARY

'contrary to one another' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing two or more entities that oppose each other (like two different opinions or plans, for example). Example: The two candidates presented different plans, contrary to one another.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now there are two ways of moving along a circle, from A to B or from A to C, and we have already explained that these movements are not contrary to one another.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Some of these capacities even seem to be contrary to one another.

SEP

"Insofar as men are torn by affects that are passions, they can be contrary to one another …[But] insofar as men live according to the guidance of reason, they must do only those things that are good for human nature, and hence, for each man, i.e., those things that agree with the nature of each man.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For the first time in the Court's history, it ruled that a law requiring one to merely vicariously enable another to take an action contrary to one's religious beliefs violates religious freedom.

Huffington Post

Contrary to one, there was in fact a good deal of blood at the scene.

The Guardian

Contrary to one quotation in the article, this is not "an old project that had been mothballed for years".

The New York Times

New Zealanders also did not mention recreational possessions as more important, contrary to one of the hypotheses.

Journal of Business Research

Application of these rules may, however, yield conclusions that are contrary to one's considered judgment in a given case.

SEP

One should rebel, even by murder, but simultaneously recognize murder as contrary to one's own principles.

University of Chicago

Contrary to one of our hypotheses, acute psychological stress during the DE exposure did not enhance sickness response symptoms.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Therefore, contrary to one hypothesis, sizable response biases (i.e., criterion shifts) do not necessarily diminish discriminability.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to one another" when you want to emphasize a direct opposition or contrast between two or more things. Ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to one another" when only referring to a single item or idea. This phrase implies a relationship between multiple entities, so it's incorrect to use it in a singular context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to one another" functions as an adjectival phrase or prepositional phrase that modifies nouns or clauses, indicating opposition or contrast between multiple entities. It highlights that entities are not in agreement or are directly opposing each other. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary to one another" serves to express a relationship of direct opposition or contrast between multiple items, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts, the phrase is deemed grammatically sound. Though not highly frequent, it is appropriate for analytical and descriptive writing. Remember to use it to emphasize divergence between multiple entities, and avoid using it in a singular context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counter to one another

This alternative maintains a similar meaning of opposition but uses "counter" instead of "contrary".

in contradiction to each other

This phrase explicitly points to a logical inconsistency.

in opposition to each other

This phrase uses a prepositional phrase to convey the contrasting relationship.

diametrically opposed

This suggests a complete and direct opposition.

at odds with each other

This idiom suggests a state of disagreement or conflict.

conflicting with one another

This option emphasizes the active state of clashing or being incompatible.

incompatible with each other

This indicates a lack of harmony or ability to coexist effectively.

antagonistic to one another

This alternative highlights a feeling of active hostility or opposition.

irreconcilable with each other

This implies an inability to find common ground or agreement.

mutually exclusive

This term indicates that the items cannot both be true or valid.

FAQs

How do I use "contrary to one another" in a sentence?

Use "contrary to one another" to show a direct opposition or contrast between multiple entities. For example: "The two candidates presented different plans, contrary to one another."

What can I say instead of "contrary to one another"?

You can use alternatives like "counter to one another", "in opposition to each other", or "conflicting with one another" depending on the context.

Is "contrary to each other" the same as "contrary to one another"?

Yes, "contrary to each other" and "contrary to one another" are often used interchangeably to express opposition or contrast between multiple items.

Which is correct, "contrary to one another" or "contrary to each other"?

Both "contrary to one another" and "contrary to each other" are grammatically correct and can be used to express opposition between multiple elements.