contrary to the notion

USAGE SUMMARY

"contrary to the notion" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means something that goes against the idea, belief, or understanding that is commonly held about a certain topic. Example: "Contrary to the notion that all teenagers are lazy and irresponsible, many young adults today are actively involved in their communities and making positive contributions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Greece's powerful Orthodox Church opposes cremation, believing that it is contrary to the notion of the resurrection of the dead.

The New York Times

Because these findings run contrary to the notion that abortion is a harmless medical procedure, the medical community is reluctant to publicize them.

The New York Times

Running contrary to the notion of full-blown maturity, however, is the fact that her father, Stefano, has come with her every step of the way.

The New York Times - Sports

And contrary to the notion that children's authors don't understand the market economy, the site offers five books on markets and competition.

The New York Times

Contrary to the notion that it's all in our heads, Baumeister provides a lengthy review of studies that suggest willpower draws disproportionately on blood glucose, a brain fuel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Contrary to the notion that the literary arts are dying off, we believe a reading renaissance is underway in America," says the founding editor Tom Lutz, the chair of the Creative Writing program at the University of California, Riverside.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Excluding the public and press, a procedure expanded under the government's new Justice and Security Act, was "contrary to the notions of justice".

The Guardian

Nevertheless, also contrasting results were collected, since heart initially decelerated, rather than accelerated, when people viewed pictures of unpleasant emotional events, contrary to the notions that these aversive stimuli might prompt defensive heart rate acceleration [ 27, 30, 37].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

"It is contrary to the whole notion of natural selection.

The Guardian

"I think it's contrary to the whole notion of charity," he said.

The New York Times

Contrary to the popular notion of the loneliness of the long-distance runner, I found the sport brought an instant and close-knit community.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to the notion" to introduce evidence or arguments that challenge a commonly held belief or assumption, creating a clear contrast for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to the notion" when simply presenting a different perspective without directly challenging a specific, identifiable belief. Ensure there's a recognized 'notion' that your statement genuinely contradicts, rather than just offering a tangential viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the notion" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement or argument that opposes a commonly held belief or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the notion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce statements that oppose a generally held belief. As Ludwig AI suggests, it functions to challenge assumptions and present contrasting viewpoints, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and professional contexts. When using it, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the notion being contradicted. The phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal writing, making it a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposed to the idea

Replaces 'notion' with 'idea', offering a more direct and simplified expression of disagreement.

in opposition to the belief

Substitutes 'contrary' with 'in opposition' and 'notion' with 'belief', emphasizing a stance against a specific conviction.

disagreeing with the concept

Uses a more active construction, highlighting the act of disagreeing rather than a state of contradiction.

counter to the assumption

Replaces 'notion' with 'assumption', suggesting that the statement challenges something taken for granted.

running against the grain of conventional wisdom

Employs a more idiomatic expression, indicating disagreement with widely accepted or traditional beliefs.

defying the established understanding

Focuses on the act of challenging or resisting a generally accepted interpretation.

at odds with the prevailing thought

Uses 'at odds' to convey conflict or disagreement with a dominant perspective.

in contradiction to the common perception

Similar in structure but uses 'perception' to highlight a contrast with how something is commonly viewed.

bucking the trend of accepted knowledge

Implies resistance to a trend in what is considered known or factual.

challenging the accepted wisdom

Directly states the act of questioning or disputing a widely held belief.

FAQs

What does "contrary to the notion" mean?

It means something is the opposite of, or goes against, a commonly held belief or idea.

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

You can use it to introduce information that challenges a common assumption. For example, "Contrary to the notion that all cats hate water, some breeds enjoy swimming."

What are some alternatives to saying "contrary to the notion"?

You can use alternatives like "opposed to the idea", "in opposition to the belief", or "disagreeing with the concept".

Is "contrary to the notion" formal or informal?

It can be used in both formal and informal writing, depending on the context. It's generally suitable for academic, professional, and news-related content.