contrary to the truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to the truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in opposition to what is true or factual. Example: "His claims about the project were contrary to the truth, as the data clearly showed different results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In Prairie Capital, the portfolio company allegedly falsified its books to show (contrary to the truth) that sales targets, on which the buyer had conditioned its offer, had been met.

Columbia University

He said this "served the interests of one of the banned terrorist groups [the Muslim Brotherhood], by showing the country – contrary to the truth – in a situation of chaos and upheaval, [and] by portraying it as a lost country suffering from division and internal fighting".

The Guardian

Suffice it so say that the attacks I am reading against him run utterly contrary to the truth.

HuffPost

"It would be contrary to the truth to declare that advances have not been achieved or to proclaim the accord a success," the report concluded.

Los Angeles Times

That desperateness to smear Obama contrary to the truth popped up yet again over a claim that Obama's recent trip to India and Asia cost a mind-blowing $200 a day.

Huffington Post

It is contrary to the truth, because he himself says: 'I am no more in the world' (John 17:11), and 'The flesh profiteth nothing' (John 6 63), that is to eat, as the Jews then believed and the Papists still believe.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Contrary to the prophecies that truth in politics is doomed, I'm encouraged by the effect that fact-checking is having.

The New York Times

It doesn't take an expert to see that this law is contrary to the principles of truth and openness.

TechCrunch

Contrary to the saying that truth is the first casualty of war, the Arab Spring has overwhelmingly broken a barrier of fear that has presided over the Middle East for decades.

Huffington Post

Although in common use, Robert Hale apparently saw this as deceptive and "contrary to the exactness of truth and justice which became a Christian; so that he withdrew himself from the inns of court to live on his estate in the country".

Wikipedia

"The rush to a hearing is unnecessary, and contrary to the committee discovering the truth," Lisa Banks, Blasey's lawyer, said in a statement on Wednesday.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "contrary to the truth" to clearly and directly indicate that a statement or claim is false or inaccurate. It's effective when you want to emphasize the opposition to factual information.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to the truth" when you mean 'different from an opinion' or 'unconventional'. The phrase specifically addresses factual inaccuracies, not subjective viewpoints or preferences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to the truth" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate that something opposes or contradicts factual accuracy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in written English. It serves to directly refute a statement or claim.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contrary to the truth" is a prepositional phrase used to explicitly state that something is false or inaccurate. As Ludwig AI validates, it's a correct and usable phrase. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're addressing factual inaccuracies rather than subjective opinions. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "untrue" or "false".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contradiction to the truth

Directly opposes the idea of truth, indicating a clear conflict.

contrary to fact

Shortened version, emphasizing the factual inaccuracy.

at variance with the facts

Emphasizes a discrepancy or inconsistency with established facts.

misrepresenting the truth

Focuses on the act of portraying the truth inaccurately.

not in accordance with reality

Highlights a disconnect between a statement or belief and the actual state of things.

in opposition to reality

Highlights the conflict between a statement and the real world.

a departure from the truth

Suggests a deliberate deviation or straying from factual accuracy.

untrue

A simple adjective indicating that something is not true.

bearing no resemblance to the truth

Emphasizes the lack of any similarity between a statement and reality.

falsely

A single-word adverb indicating an untruthful statement or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "contrary to the truth" to indicate that something is false or inaccurate. For example: "His claims about the company's profits were "contrary to the truth", as revealed by the audit report."

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

Some alternatives include "at variance with the facts", "in contradiction to the truth", or simply stating that something is "untrue".

Is it more formal to say "contrary to the truth" or "untrue"?

"Contrary to the truth" is generally considered more formal and emphatic than simply saying something is "untrue". It's suitable for situations where you want to strongly emphasize the inaccuracy of a statement.

What's the difference between "contrary to the truth" and "a lie"?

"Contrary to the truth" is a more general statement about factual inaccuracy. "A lie" implies an intentional deception. Something can be "contrary to the truth" without being a deliberate lie, as it could be due to a mistake or misunderstanding.