contrary to that

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrary to that" is correct and widely used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a different opinion, thought, or action than the one that was previously mentioned. For example: "Many people think that the best way to get around town is by car, but contrary to that, I prefer to ride my bike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's contrary to that.

The Guardian - Books

Tillerson, as CEO, promoted positions contrary to that.

The Washington Post

So that is our approach in the GCC, not to take any action contrary to that.

Yale University

"No one has been missing at any stage despite quite misleading reports contrary to that.

The Guardian

The new findings, the researchers said, are "not necessarily contrary" to that.

The New York Times - Health

Expelling a reporter — and without reason — runs contrary to that.

TechCrunch

But our experience of this world is exactly contrary to that.

Huffington Post

Anything contrary to that would be disastrous".

The New York Times

This absolutely runs contrary to that purpose".

The New York Times

A. But the contrary to that argument is true, too.

The New York Times

"If something happened contrary to that, it would be a nice, pleasant surprise".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to that" to introduce a statement that opposes or contradicts a previously mentioned idea or belief. Ensure the contrasting statement is clear and well-supported by evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to that" if you're only presenting a slightly different perspective, rather than a direct contradiction. Opt for phrases like "similarly" or "in addition" if the ideas are complementary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to that" serves as a prepositional phrase functioning as a discourse marker. It introduces a statement that contradicts or opposes a previously mentioned idea. Ludwig examples show its versatility in various contexts, and Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce statements that oppose or contradict a previous idea. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correct usage is supported by numerous real-world examples across various domains such as news, science, and academia. The analysis reveals that it functions as a discourse marker and is appropriate for a neutral register. To ensure effective communication, remember to use "contrary to that" when presenting a direct contradiction, and to avoid it when simply offering a slightly different perspective. With Ludwig’s examples and this comprehensive guide, you're now equipped to use "contrary to that" with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to that

Replaces "contrary" with "in contrast", emphasizing the difference between two things.

unlike that

Uses "unlike" to indicate a difference or dissimilarity.

conversely

Offers a direct opposite perspective or action.

on the contrary

A stronger way of negating a previous statement and introducing the opposite.

by contrast

Similar to "in contrast", but may imply a more direct comparison.

in opposition to that

Highlights direct resistance or disagreement with the previous point.

antithetical to that

Indicates a fundamental opposition or incompatibility.

different from that

A simpler, more direct way to indicate a difference.

opposed to that

Expresses disagreement or resistance, potentially in a formal setting.

at variance with that

Suggests a discrepancy or conflict with the previous statement.

FAQs

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

Use "contrary to that" to introduce an idea that directly opposes a previously stated one. For instance, "Many believe that success is solely based on talent; contrary to that, hard work and perseverance often play a more significant role."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to that"?

You can use alternatives like "in contrast to that", "unlike that", or "on the contrary" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "contrary to that" and "in contrast to that"?

While both phrases indicate opposition, "contrary to that" often implies a direct contradiction, whereas "in contrast to that" simply highlights a difference. The choice depends on whether you're negating the previous statement or merely presenting a different perspective.

When is it inappropriate to use "contrary to that"?

Avoid using "contrary to that" if you're not presenting a direct opposition. If you are offering a nuanced perspective, consider using phrases such as "similarly" or "in addition" instead.