contrary to popular wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to popular wisdom" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement or idea that goes against what is commonly believed or accepted. Here is an example: "Contrary to popular wisdom, studies have shown that eating carbohydrates at night can actually aid in weight loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Contrary to popular wisdom, the Dead Sea will not entirely disappear.

The New York Times

Moreover, contrary to popular wisdom, the East Asian tigers have been in trouble before.

The Economist

Contrary to popular wisdom, child stars do automatically come earmarked for disaster.

The Guardian - Film

Likewise contrary to popular wisdom, Americans do not produce more garbage than everyone else.

The New York Times - Books

Contrary to popular wisdom, there's no single "tell" that will help you detect untrustworthiness.

Harvard Business Review

Contrary to popular wisdom, the reason for the collapse in Seattle was not the presence of several thousand disgruntled demonstrators.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

He credits religion with a vital role in spurring on progressive change in the US over the past 150 years - contrary to popular European wisdom, religion has predominantly been a force for good in America and its current use by the political right is an aberration from its history, he argues.

The Guardian

No. Contrary to popular expectation.

The Guardian

Contrary to popular belief, law is a helping profession.

Stanford University

Contrary to popular perception, the shows are not invitation-only.

The New York Times - Style

Contrary to popular perception, the drug is not new.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to popular wisdom" to introduce surprising or counterintuitive information to immediately capture the reader's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to popular wisdom" to introduce arguments that are merely contrarian without substantial evidence or analysis. Ensure your counter-argument is well-supported.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to popular wisdom" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a contrast or contradiction to a commonly held belief or understanding. It prefaces a statement that challenges the conventional view. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to popular wisdom" is a valuable phrase for introducing ideas that challenge common beliefs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as a discourse marker to signal a contrast and invite readers to reconsider their assumptions. While its usage spans across various contexts, it's most prevalent in news, science, and business, demanding careful application and factual support to maintain credibility. The examples shown by Ludwig show this.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contrary to common belief

Focuses on beliefs rather than general wisdom.

Against popular opinion

Emphasizes a disagreement with public sentiment.

Challenging conventional wisdom

Highlights the act of questioning established ideas.

In defiance of popular belief

Suggests a stronger opposition to what people generally think.

Unlike popular assumptions

Specifically targets assumptions that are widely accepted.

Despite widespread belief

Indicates that a statement is true even though many people think otherwise.

Contrary to accepted knowledge

Emphasizes a conflict with what is generally known or understood.

Running counter to popular thought

Highlights that an idea opposes popular thinking patterns.

In contrast to public perception

Focuses on how something is viewed by the general public.

Diverging from popular understanding

Indicates a departure from a commonly held interpretation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "contrary to popular wisdom" in a sentence?

Begin your sentence with "contrary to popular wisdom" to introduce a fact or idea that challenges widely held beliefs. Follow it with a comma and the statement that presents the alternative perspective. For example, "Contrary to popular wisdom, studies show that multitasking can decrease productivity."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to popular wisdom"?

You can use alternatives like "contrary to common belief", "against popular opinion", or "challenging conventional wisdom" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to provide evidence after stating something "contrary to popular wisdom"?

While not always mandatory, providing evidence strengthens your argument. Since you're challenging a widely held belief, backing up your claim with data, research, or expert opinions will make your statement more convincing and credible.

What is the difference between "contrary to popular wisdom" and "contrary to popular belief"?

While similar, "contrary to popular wisdom" implies a challenge to broader, more established understandings or assumptions, while "contrary to popular belief" focuses more specifically on what people generally think is true.