contrary to the majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to the majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a viewpoint or opinion that differs from what most people believe or support. Example: "Contrary to the majority, I believe that the proposed policy will have negative effects on our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Contrary to the majority opinion, a corporation like Hobby Lobby is plainly not a "person" covered by the Restoration Act.

The New York Times

See the HMRC website for collections in your area William Hogarth, St Bart's hospital, London Contrary to the majority of Hogarth's works, which tend to be bawdy observations of everyday life, the two paintings in this hospital deal with biblical stories: The Good Samaritan and Christ healing a sick man at the Pool of Bethesda.

The Guardian - Travel

In an angry dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens, who wrote the 1986 decision, said that contrary to the majority's assertion, that decision protected "a fundamental right that the court now dishonors".

The New York Times

In a lengthy and sharply worded dissent, Justice Elena Kagan argued that, contrary to the majority's view, the fair-share provision as applied to personal assistants in Illinois "fall[s] squarely within Abood's holding".

Encyclopedia Britannica

These results are contrary to the majority of theories, in which albumin is considered a non-adhesive molecule.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Contrary to the majority of known epoxidations, no strong oxidants are involved and no free hydrogen peroxide is formed in the reaction, thus making it ecologically friendly.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Alistair Thompson, a spokesman for the campaign group Care Not Killing, said: "These are a number of doctors who are contrary to the vast majority of the medical professionals who do not support assisted suicide and euthanasia.

The Guardian

His discussion of the impact of China's rise on south-east Asia, contrary to the great majority of accounts, is subtle and nuanced, avoiding the normal platitude that somehow virtually all the Asian countries are opposed to China.

The Guardian - Books

Contrary to the overwhelming majority of proteogenomics analyses that utilize proteomics data to improve the quality and completeness of previously annotated genomes, this study represents one of the first to utilize proteomics data "as part of a largely automated, high-throughput annotation process directly at the primary stage of genome annotation" [ 20].

BMC Genomics

However, we observed that, contrary to the expectations, the majority of the researchers' biographies on Wikipedia do not meet the primary notability criteria and thus, their inclusion in the encyclopedia can be deceiving.

EPJ Data Science

All of the dissenting justices supported the Afroyim v. Rusk principle that retention of U.S. citizenship was a constitutionally protected right, and they all agreed (contrary to the court's majority) that Terrazas's actions should not have led to the loss of his U.S. citizenship.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to the majority" to introduce an alternative perspective or finding that challenges a widely held belief or common understanding. This can add nuance and depth to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to the majority" if you're referring to a small or unrepresentative sample. Ensure that the "majority" you're referencing is a significant and relevant group to the topic at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the majority" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrasting viewpoint or fact. It is used to set up a statement that opposes a widely held belief or common understanding. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the majority" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that introduces a contrasting viewpoint or fact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is most frequent in science and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referencing a significant and relevant majority and presenting a well-supported alternative perspective. Related phrases include "in opposition to the majority" and "against the majority opinion", providing varied options to express divergence from popular belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in opposition to the majority

This alternative directly opposes the majority view.

against the majority opinion

This phrase emphasizes a dissenting opinion against the majority.

at odds with the majority

Suggests a conflict or disagreement with the majority.

in disagreement with the majority

Directly states a lack of agreement.

dissenting from the majority

Highlights the act of formally disagreeing.

bucking the trend

Implies resisting a common pattern or direction.

swimming against the tide

Indicates effort against a strong prevailing force.

challenging the prevailing view

Emphasizes questioning or disputing a common belief.

not in line with the majority

States a lack of alignment or conformity.

taking the other side

This phrase describes a position in direct opposition to another.

FAQs

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

Use "contrary to the majority" to introduce a viewpoint that opposes what most people believe, such as, "Contrary to the majority, I think working from home improves productivity."

What phrases are similar to "contrary to the majority"?

Similar phrases include "in opposition to the majority", "against the majority opinion", or "at odds with the majority".

When is it appropriate to use "contrary to the majority" in writing?

It is suitable to use "contrary to the majority" when presenting a perspective, research finding, or argument that diverges from conventional wisdom or prevailing beliefs.

Is it better to use "contrary to the majority" or "in contrast to the majority"?

Both "contrary to the majority" and "in contrast to the majority" are acceptable. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Contrary to" suggests opposition, while "in contrast to" highlights differences.