contrary to our policy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to our policy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an action or statement goes against established rules or guidelines of an organization. Example: "The request for a refund was denied as it was contrary to our policy on returns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"High profile celebrity endorsements are contrary to our policy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A weaker dollar is "contrary to our policy," Mr. Bush said in an interview on Russian television that was made public over the weekend.

The New York Times

"The market, at this point in time, has devalued the dollar, which is contrary to our policy," Mr. Bush was quoted as saying in an interview in Washington last Thursday with the Russian television network RTR, which the White House released on Saturday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She added, "That was contrary to our policies".

The New York Times

"We regret that a student placed this advertisement on his own initiative, which is contrary to our policies and instruction to students," she said.

The Guardian - Film

Jerald L. Pullins, president and chief operating officer of Service Corporation International, which is based in Houston, said today in a statement that the activities described in the lawsuit were "completely contrary to our policies and procedures".

The New York Times

A Crystal Cruises spokeswoman, Mimi Weisband, said, "It was a terrible mistake, and contrary to our own policy to never discharge in any marine sanctuary".

The New York Times - Travel

He said that military instructors and guest lecturers appeared to be "advocating ideas, beliefs and actions that are contrary to our national policy, inconsistent with the values of our profession and disrespectful of the Islamic religion".

The New York Times

Denis Bauchard, a former French ambassador and Middle East expert now at the French Institute for International Relations, said Mr. Hollande's willingness to circumvent the Security Council appeared "utterly contrary to our traditional policy" of bolstering the body's legitimacy, particularly in the Middle East.

The New York Times

On May 11th the Law Society's hospitality company cancelled the booking, saying that the event was "contrary to our diversity policy, espousing as it does an ethos which is opposed to same-sex marriage".

The Economist

In response to Vicki Bowers' July 19 letter to the Pilot, "Hoag has freedom too," it seems that she favors Hoag's position which is, "I will use my freedom to choose to take away a woman's freedom and right to choose". In so many words, Hoag is saying, "Ladies, contrary to our past policies, you no longer have the right to control your own body and reproductive life at our hospital.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary to our policy", clearly state the specific aspect of the policy being violated or contradicted to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to our policy" without specifying which part of the policy is being contravened. Provide specific details to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to our policy" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that an action, statement, or situation goes against or violates an established rule or guideline. Ludwig confirms this usage in its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

33%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary to our policy" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate a violation or contradiction of established rules or guidelines. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions to express disapproval or highlight a deviation from expected behavior. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is most frequently found in news and media sources, as well as formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact policy being referenced. Alternatives include "against our guidelines" or "in violation of our policy", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against our guidelines

Replaces "policy" with "guidelines", which can soften the tone slightly.

in violation of our policy

More formal and emphasizes a breach of the policy.

not in accordance with our policy

Highly formal and emphasizes adherence to the policy.

in opposition to our policy

Highlights direct disagreement and resistance to the policy.

at odds with our policy

Indicates a conflict or inconsistency with the policy.

in contradiction of our policy

Emphasizes a direct and irreconcilable conflict with the policy.

non-compliant with our policy

Focuses on the lack of adherence to the policy.

running counter to our policy

Suggests a direction or action that is in opposition to the policy.

conflicting with our policy

Emphasizes the presence of a conflict or incompatibility with the policy.

deviating from our policy

Suggests a departure from the established policy.

FAQs

What does "contrary to our policy" mean?

It means something is in opposition to, or violates, the rules, guidelines, or principles established by an organization or entity.

How can I use "contrary to our policy" in a sentence?

Example: "The employee's actions were "contrary to our policy" regarding data security."

What are some alternatives to saying "contrary to our policy"?

You can use alternatives like "against our guidelines", "in violation of our policy", or "not in accordance with our policy".

Is it better to say "against our policy" or "contrary to our policy"?

"Against our policy" is slightly less formal. "Contrary to our policy" is more formal and emphasizes a direct contradiction.