contrary to reality

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrary to reality" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something is different from reality or untrue. For example, "Some people claim that aliens exist, but this is contrary to reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"He was sending out signals that were contrary to reality".

The New York Times

For a gay couple to become the legal parents of a child "is totally contrary to reality," she said.

The New York Times

Repeated expressions of optimism by the Greek government not only ran contrary to reality, but were aimed squarely at stopping a run on the banks, they believe.

The Guardian - Business

The publications have been accused of infractions like "printing news contrary to reality," "disturbing public opinion" and "casting doubt on the elections".

The New York Times

Their views are false, one-sided, and so contrary to reality that it is fair for me (now a Ph.D. social psychologist and journalist) to call them delusions — shared, motivated distortions of reality.

The New York Times

11.23am: Bahrain: The ministry for human rights and social development has denounced a press release issued by Human Rights Watch last week, describing it as "preconceived, deliberate and premeditated to show the situation in Bahrain contrary to reality".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Fair and balanced is how they wish to appear, contrary to realities.

The New York Times - Books

The question threw me because it presumed a fact that seemed dubious at best -- and completely contrary to the reality I've experienced, both personally and through the stories I've written about women who own businesses.

The New York Times

Due to the limitation of computing power and quest for affordable solutions, the reservoir characterization problem has been assumed to be linear contrary to the reality.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Thankfully, resistance and revolution is already happening, as more people are awakening to the knowledge that what they have been sold in recent decades is contrary to what reality can actually deliver.

Huffington Post

Because when it comes to climate change Trump is on par with Trudeau, Turnbull, May, Hollande, Abe, Putin, and the leaders of China, Brazil, Mexico and everyone else meaning that they all are pursuing agendas that are contrary to the reality of climate change.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to reality" when you want to strongly emphasize that a statement or belief is factually incorrect. It's useful in debates or arguments where you need to highlight a significant disconnect from the truth.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to reality" when expressing personal opinions or preferences. This phrase is best reserved for disputing factual claims, not subjective viewpoints. For instance, saying 'Their design choices are contrary to reality' is inappropriate unless you're arguing about objective design flaws. Instead, use phrases like 'in my opinion' or '"personally, I think"' to express subjective disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to reality" functions as a prepositional phrase used to express disagreement or opposition to a factual state. It often introduces a statement that contradicts what is considered true or verifiable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary to reality" is a prepositional phrase used to express disagreement with a factual state. Ludwig AI confirms it’s grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, highlighting its role in objective discourse. While versatile, it’s best reserved for factual disputes and avoided when expressing subjective opinions. Related phrases include "at odds with reality" and "inconsistent with reality", which offer similar meanings. Remember to use it judiciously for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at odds with reality

This alternative suggests a state of conflict or disagreement with the true state of affairs.

inconsistent with reality

Focuses on the lack of alignment or agreement with the factual world.

detached from reality

Implies a separation or disconnection from the actual circumstances.

divorced from reality

Similar to 'detached', emphasizing a complete break from the real world.

runs counter to reality

Highlights the opposing direction or nature compared to what is real.

belies the truth

Indicates that something contradicts or disguises the actual truth.

flies in the face of reality

Suggests a bold or defiant contradiction of what is known to be true.

opposed to reality

A more direct way of stating opposition or contradiction.

in defiance of reality

Emphasizes a deliberate resistance to accepting what is real.

in contradiction to reality

Highlights the state of being contradictory or inconsistent with the facts.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to reality" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to reality" to emphasize that a statement or belief is factually incorrect. For example, "The claim that the Earth is flat is "contrary to reality" and all scientific evidence."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to reality"?

Some alternatives include "at odds with reality", "inconsistent with reality", or "detached from reality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "contrary to reality" in formal writing?

Yes, "contrary to reality" is appropriate for formal writing when disputing factual claims. Its strong tone makes it suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts where accuracy is critical.

When should I avoid using the phrase "contrary to reality"?

Avoid using "contrary to reality" when expressing subjective opinions or preferences. Reserve it for situations where you're arguing against a factual inaccuracy. For example, instead of saying "His fashion sense is "contrary to reality"", it would be more appropriate to say "in my opinion his fashion sense is unconventional".