contrary to the intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to the intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is opposite to what was intended or planned. Example: "The outcome of the project was contrary to the intention of the team, leading to unexpected challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Paintings that are varnished, contrary to the intention of the artist, can become permanently altered in appearance over time and become diminished in value.

Britannica

That code said: "We will not advise clients to enter into transactions with the main purpose of securing a tax advantage clearly contrary to the intention of parliament in enacting the relevant legislation".

The Guardian - Business

Therefore, theology must remain under the constant control of philosophy and the supervision of the divine law so as not to drift into taking positions that cannot be demonstrated philosophically or that are contrary to the intention of the divine law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Playford accused the High Court of Australia of helping the federal parliament under Curtin to legislate to give itself a monopoly on the acquisition of income tax, which he claimed was contrary to the intention of the constitution to prevent excessive centralisation of power in the federal government.

Wikipedia

The CPs should also be aware that their presence and a possible lack of knowledge can sometimes disturb the psychological management of the disease, and contrary to the intention, strengthen feelings of isolation.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, the reported emissions are clearly contrary to the intentions behind the Montreal Protocol, and raise questions about the sources of these gases.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Bob Diamond gave George Osborne a promise 15 months ago that this bank would not embark on tax planning that aims to achieve tax result that is contrary to the intentions of parliament.

The Guardian - Business

The French tribunal thus rejected the request for adoption on the grounds that it would have legal consequences contrary to the intentions of the applicants and, by depriving the biological mother of her legal rights over the child, to the interests of the child.

The Guardian

In US history, it is taught that Jesus commanded us to make a profit; giving "handouts to citizens" was contrary to the intentions of America's hallowed founding fathers; nontaxpayers should not vote; and it is wrong for governments to provide welfare for citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

In particular, he argues that the rise in presidential power is contrary to the intentions of the framers, who imagined a restrained executive subject to the checks and balances of Congress and the judiciary.

University of Chicago

A world map that describes areas or even continents as vulnerable by coloring them red, as for example with the World Risk Report (Alliance Development Works 2013), may have practical consequences that run contrary to the intentions (Bankoff 2003).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrary to the intention", ensure the context clearly establishes what the original intention was. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows the "intention" you are referring to. Always provide sufficient context or explicitly state the intention to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the intention" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates that an action, result, or state is in opposition to a previously stated or understood purpose. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in various contexts to highlight this opposition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the intention" is a prepositional phrase used to express that something opposes a previously stated or understood purpose. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, although relatively rare. It appears in neutral to formal writing across news, encyclopedic, academic, and scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the "intention" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "against the purpose" or "opposite the aim" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Against the purpose

Replaces "intention" with "purpose", maintaining a similar level of formality but emphasizing the desired outcome.

Counter to the plan

Uses "counter" to indicate opposition and replaces "intention" with "plan", making it more specific and less abstract.

Opposite the aim

Substitutes "contrary" with "opposite" and "intention" with "aim", offering a slightly more direct and less formal alternative.

Divergent from the goal

Uses "divergent" to replace "contrary", introducing a more formal tone while "goal" replaces "intention".

In opposition to the design

Replaces "contrary" with "in opposition to" and "intention" with "design", increasing the formality and highlighting a deliberate plan.

In defiance of the intent

Employs "in defiance of" for a stronger sense of opposition and "intent" as a synonym for "intention", adding a touch of assertiveness.

At odds with the objective

Replaces "contrary" with "at odds with" and "intention" with "objective", creating a slightly more emphatic and potentially confrontational tone.

Running counter to the objective

Uses "running counter" to replace "contrary", providing a more dynamic and active sense of opposition, while "objective" replaces "intention".

In contradiction to what was meant

Expands the phrase to clarify the opposition, using "what was meant" instead of "intention" for a less formal and more explanatory tone.

Versus the purpose

Uses "versus" as a more direct replacement for "contrary to", and "purpose" instead of "intention", providing a concise alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "contrary to the intention" to describe an outcome or action that opposes a previously stated or understood plan. For example: "Contrary to the intention of the new policy, employee morale decreased."

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

You can use alternatives like "against the purpose", "opposite the aim", or "counter to the plan" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "contrary to the intention" or "against the intention"?

Both "contrary to the intention" and "against the intention" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Contrary to the intention" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "contrary to the intention" and "in line with the intention"?

"Contrary to the intention" indicates opposition or divergence from a plan, while "in line with the intention" means something is consistent with or supports the original plan.