contrary to our understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to our understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or information that conflicts with what has been previously believed or accepted. Example: "The results of the experiment were contrary to our understanding of the chemical reaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"That would be totally contrary to our understanding of the church's mission.

The Guardian

The program was structured so that most of the vouchers were to be spent largely on high-fat dairy products and juice, to the near-exclusion of fresh fruit and vegetables, contrary to our understanding of what constitutes good nutrition.

The New York Times

"When it was time to leave," Ellis writes, "Weinberg reached into his pocket as he came to the front door, pulled out a quarter, and handed it to the resplendently uniformed admiral, saying, 'Here, boy, get me a cab.' " The idea that outsiders can profit by virtue of their outsiderness runs contrary to our understanding of minorities.

The New Yorker

This idea – that we, the public and the press, should not be told the truth – runs contrary to our understanding of open, democratic government, and yet a growing number of us have a sense that we are being deceived by our politicians.

The Guardian - Books

"We wish to make it clear that this is contrary to our understanding of the agreement we had with the board.

BBC

However, contrary to our understanding of animal social behaviors, only recent research has begun to elucidate the impact of social biases on cellular decisions which motivate and coordinate collective behaviors underlying mate selection, foraging and hunting, assisted reproduction, induced defenses, and other phenomena common to colonial microbes.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The belief that the animals exist because God created them – and that he created them so we can better meet our needs – is contrary to our scientific understanding of evolution and, of course, to the fossil record, which shows the existence of non-human primates and other animals millions of years before there were any human beings at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is contrary to our current understanding that aggrecans are indispensable for articular cartilage health.

F1000Research

Contrary to your understanding of copyright law, the act of "copying" does not automatically = copyright infringement.

Stanford University

The finding that increased bcl-2 staining confers a survival advantage is contrary to much of our understanding of bcl-2.

British Journal of Cancer

Moreover, and again contrary to Mr. Nocera's understanding, our country is already reducing its oil demand, by several million barrels of oil daily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to our understanding" to introduce a statement that challenges or contradicts a previously held belief or common knowledge. This helps to set up a contrast and highlight the novelty or unexpected nature of the information being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to our understanding" when referring to a personal opinion or belief. This phrase is best used when referring to a shared or established understanding within a specific field, group, or the general public.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to our understanding" functions as a discourse marker or transitional phrase, often used to introduce a statement or finding that challenges or contradicts a previously held belief or common knowledge. Ludwig confirms its role in setting up contrasts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to our understanding" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce information that challenges established knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms it functions as a discourse marker, highlighting deviations from what is commonly accepted. It's suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While grammatically correct, ensure "our" refers to a shared understanding rather than personal opinion. Consider alternatives like "in opposition to" or "at odds with" to fine-tune your message. Remember to clearly present any counter evidence following the sentence where you deploy it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in opposition to our understanding

Emphasizes direct conflict or disagreement with existing understanding.

at odds with our understanding

Highlights a state of incongruity or incompatibility with current understanding.

divergent from our understanding

Suggests a branching off or deviation from what is known.

inconsistent with our understanding

Indicates a lack of coherence or agreement with existing knowledge.

running counter to our understanding

Implies an opposing or conflicting direction relative to current understanding.

defying our understanding

Highlights the surprising nature with existing knowledge.

contradictory to our understanding

Emphasizes a direct contradiction or incompatibility.

distinct from our understanding

Focuses on the separateness or difference from current knowledge.

at variance with our understanding

Highlights the lack of agreement or conformity.

not in line with our understanding

Suggests misalignment or non-conformity with established knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "contrary to our understanding" to introduce information that opposes previously accepted knowledge or beliefs. For instance, "Contrary to our understanding, the new study suggests a different approach."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to our understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "in opposition to our understanding", "at odds with our understanding", or "inconsistent with our understanding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "contrary to our understanding" in formal writing?

Yes, "contrary to our understanding" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts where you need to present information that challenges existing viewpoints. Just make sure that the point you are contraddicting is in fact an objective point.

What's the difference between "contrary to our understanding" and "contrary to popular belief"?

"Contrary to our understanding" refers to a deviation from a specific group's or field's knowledge, whereas "contrary to popular belief" indicates a deviation from what most people generally think is true. The first focuses on objective knowledge while the second one on subjective point of views.