contrary to the received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to the received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing beliefs, opinions, or information that goes against established or commonly accepted views. Example: "Contrary to the received wisdom, recent studies suggest that a high-fat diet may not be as harmful as previously thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Contrary to the received view, the bulk of Asia's growth has been domestically driven.

The Economist

But contrary to the received wisdom, it also suggests that Mitt Romney is picking up more support.

The New Yorker

"Contrary to the received wisdom pre-crisis, we learned that greater scale, complexity and sophistication of financial markets can make the system more, not less, vulnerable".

The Guardian - Business

Contrary to the received idea of the 1980s as a fluffy decade dominated by Spandau Ballet etc, there were many dissident voices.

The Guardian - Books

In fact, contrary to the received wisdom of Eurosceptics, on most of the big issues of the day the behaviour of single nation states is irrelevant.

Independent

The "Modernist Cuisine" authors argue, contrary to the received wisdom, that the best way to cook a steak is to flip it every fifteen seconds: they say it's quicker, more even, juicier, and needs less resting time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In this sense, if these results can be confirmed in subsequent analysis, the ACG® system not only allows appropriate resource allocation but also seems to be useful in professional practice, contrary to the criticism received that it could not assess how the work is being performed [ 20].

BMC Health Services Research

We believe, contrary to these received views, that the key differences are to be found in the different ways the audience can engage with language.

The New York Times

Mice transplanted with cells transduced with empty (n=10) or NUP98 AF10 MSCV vectors (n=5) remained free of hematological disease up to 12 months after transplantation (not shown), contrary to those receiving cells transduced with the NUP98 HMGB3 fusion.

Blood Cancer Journal

While they recognised that their behaviour was contrary to the advice they received, women believed they had little or no choice.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The immigration minister released a statement late on Saturday night saying: "I wish to confirm that contrary to initial reports received, I have received further information that indicates that the majority of the riotous behaviour that occurred, and the response to that behaviour to restore order to the centre, took place within the perimeter of the centre.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to the received" when you want to strongly emphasize that something is not as commonly believed or understood. It adds a level of authority and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to the received" when a simple disagreement exists; this phrase implies a deeper, more fundamental challenge to accepted knowledge, not just a difference in opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the received" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement contradicting a widely held belief or conventional understanding. Ludwig's examples show it often precedes a claim that challenges established ideas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the received" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a statement that challenges a widely held belief or conventional understanding. Ludwig highlights its presence in news, media, and scientific contexts, signalling a neutral to formal register. The phrase is deemed grammatically correct. When using this phrase, ensure it genuinely opposes established knowledge, not merely expressing a simple difference of opinion. Alternatives like "contrary to popular belief" or "against the conventional wisdom" can be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to popular belief

Focuses specifically on contradicting widely held, but possibly inaccurate, beliefs.

against the conventional wisdom

Highlights a divergence from accepted norms and practices.

in opposition to the prevailing view

Emphasizes a direct conflict with a dominant perspective.

defying established norms

Indicates a challenge or disregard for standard practices.

in contrast to the common notion

Highlights the differences versus what is commonly understood.

disputing the accepted viewpoint

Directly challenges the dominant opinion.

challenging the established idea

Implies an active questioning of an existing concept.

differing from the traditional understanding

Focuses on contrasting with longstanding comprehension.

reversing the conventional thinking

Implies a complete turnaround from what is generally believed.

unlike the generally accepted idea

Simply states a difference from what most people accept.

FAQs

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

Use "contrary to the received" to introduce a statement that opposes a widely held belief or understanding. For example, "Contrary to the received wisdom, the Earth is not flat."

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

You can use alternatives like "contrary to popular belief", "against the conventional wisdom", or "in opposition to the prevailing view".

Is it better to say "contrary to the received wisdom" or "contrary to popular belief"?

The best choice depends on context. "Contrary to the received wisdom" often implies challenging a more formal or expert consensus, while "contrary to popular belief" challenges what is commonly known or assumed by the general public.

What's the difference between "contrary to the received" and "in spite of"?

"Contrary to the received" indicates a contradiction of established knowledge, while "in spite of" suggests that something happened despite an obstacle or expectation. They are not interchangeable.