contrary to the intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to the intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or outcomes that do not align with the original purpose or goal. Example: "The changes made to the policy were contrary to the intent of promoting inclusivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Increasing foreclosure filings was contrary to the intent of the policy, suggesting that policymakers should be aware of how firms exhibit systematic biases, much like individuals.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

Trump's suggestion that his opponents were committing treason in criticizing him is "absolutely contrary" to the intent of the Constitution, Larson added.

The Washington Post

One fact found by the study indicates that some of the repatriated money was not even really returned to the United States, contrary to the intent of the law.

The New York Times

That, said the church's Deacon Jacques Girard, is "absolutely absurd," and also contrary to the intent of Coast Guard regulations issued July 1, advocates say, calling for chaplain access.

The New York Times

Members of Congress such as Representative Henry A. Waxman, Democrat of California, countered that the attempt was contrary to the intent of Congress, and lawsuits have been filed to clarify the issue.

The New York Times

"The transactions appear contrary to the intent and spirit of the laws that impose candidate contribution limits, laws which are meant to prevent 'corruption and the appearance of corruption' in the campaign financing process," he wrote.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The style of checks in Mbile limited improvements in team communication, and was directly contrary to the design intent of creating collective awareness.

BMJ Open

I think that's contrary to the whole intent of the Constitution and the establishment of Congress as a democratic institution to represent citizens.

The Washington Post

One oughta-be-a-law applies to a problem that touches a nerve in tens of millions of Americans: the abuse of Social Security numbers as identifiers, contrary to the specific intent of the system.

The New York Times

He documents how the possession of vast military strength runs contrary to the original intent of the Founders, and has, as they feared, shifted the balance of power away from individual citizens and toward the central government, and from the legislative and judicial branches of government to the executive.

Cornell University

But Atlanta has benefited greatly from a dam and reservoir on which it spent nothing, and a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers' decision that allowed them to do so was "an abuse of discretion and contrary to the clear intent" of the act authorising the dam's construction.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary to the intent", ensure that the original intent is clearly established or easily understood by your audience for maximum clarity and impact. This will help your audience grasp the full significance of the contradiction.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the intent is self-evident. Clearly articulate the original purpose or goal before stating that an action or outcome is "contrary to the intent". Failing to do so can lead to confusion and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the intent" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating opposition or divergence from a specified purpose. It is used to express that an action or outcome deviates from what was originally intended, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

32%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the intent" is a prepositional phrase used to express that something opposes or deviates from an original purpose. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and is most commonly found in news, academic and scientific contexts. While not overly frequent, its use can add precision when discussing policies, laws, or actions that yield unintended outcomes. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the original intent is clear to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "against the intention" or "in opposition to the purpose" can be used for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against the intention

Replaces 'contrary' with 'against' and uses the noun 'intention' instead of 'intent', slightly altering the tone.

in opposition to the purpose

Uses 'in opposition to' which conveys a stronger sense of conflict, and 'purpose' as a synonym for 'intent'.

in defiance of the aim

Employs 'in defiance of', suggesting a deliberate disregard for the original 'aim'.

at odds with the design

Uses 'at odds with', indicating a conflict or incompatibility with the original 'design'.

counter to the spirit

Replaces 'intent' with 'spirit', suggesting a violation of the underlying principle or ethos.

violating the objective

This version uses a verb ('violating') to directly indicate a breach of the 'objective'.

subverting the goal

Employs 'subverting', implying an attempt to undermine or overthrow the 'goal'.

running contrary to the plan

Specifies that it's a 'plan' that is being contradicted, adding a level of specificity.

inconsistent with the vision

This alternative suggests that the action does not align with the overall 'vision' or desired future state.

acting in contradiction to the will

Uses 'acting in contradiction', suggesting an active opposition to someone's 'will' or desire.

FAQs

What does "contrary to the intent" mean?

The phrase "contrary to the intent" means that something is happening or being done in a way that opposes or goes against the original purpose or plan. It indicates a deviation from the intended outcome.

How can I use "contrary to the intent" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to the intent" to describe a situation where an action or result is the opposite of what was originally planned or expected. For example: "Increasing foreclosure filings was "contrary to the intent" of the policy."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to the intent"?

Some alternatives to "contrary to the intent" include "against the intention", "in opposition to the purpose", or "counter to the spirit".

Is it better to say "contrary to the intent" or "against the intent"?

Both "contrary to the intent" and "against the intent" are grammatically correct, but "contrary to the intent" is slightly more formal and commonly used in academic or professional contexts. "Against the intent" is more direct and may be preferred in informal settings.