contrary to what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to what" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that is the opposite of what was previously said or expected. For example: "Contrary to what many people think, cats are actually very good swimmers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former is contrary to what is expected.

Acta Materialia

This is contrary to what some of them say.

Princeton University

This was contrary to what Congress had intended.

The New York Times

This is contrary to what usually happens after a recession.

The New York Times

"It is completely contrary to what I think.

The New Yorker

"This is contrary to what many assume," Dr. Cohen said.

The New York Times - Health

It is clearly contrary to what he has said before.

The Guardian

But contrary to what Mark says, he never sacked me.

The Guardian - Music

"It's contrary to what our trips are about.

The New York Times

Contrary to what Damon argues, his comments weren't "twisted around".

The Guardian - Film

RITCHIE -- Yes, contrary to what people's perception is of her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrary to what" to directly challenge or correct a misconception. It adds emphasis to the corrected information.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to what" when simply adding new information. It's best suited for situations where you're overturning a previously held belief or statement, not just expanding on a topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to what" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a statement that is in opposition to a previously mentioned or generally accepted idea. It sets up a contrast, highlighting the difference between what is believed and what is actually the case, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary to what" serves to introduce a statement that opposes a prior belief or statement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. It's important to use "contrary to what" when correcting misconceptions or challenging assumptions. Remember that it's suited for overturning previously held beliefs, not just adding new information. Alternatives such as "in contrast to what" and "unlike what" can be used depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to what

Emphasizes a direct opposition or difference compared to a previous statement.

unlike what

Highlights a difference or dissimilarity from what was previously mentioned.

opposite to what

Indicates a direct reversal or antithesis of a prior expectation or statement.

conversely to what

Introduces a statement that is the reverse of what has just been said.

in opposition to what

Suggests a conflicting stance or idea relative to a previous assertion.

contradictory to what

Highlights the presence of conflicting elements to a previous opinion.

differently from what

Implies a deviation or variation from what was originally indicated.

in defiance of what

Suggests a deliberate act of resistance against a prior claim.

notwithstanding what

Introduces a statement that holds true despite what has already been expressed.

irrespective of what

Indicates that a statement remains valid regardless of what has been mentioned previously.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to what" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to what" to introduce a statement that opposes a common belief or a previous statement. For example, "Contrary to what many believe, exercise can be enjoyable."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to what"?

Alternatives include "in contrast to what", "unlike what", or "despite what" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "contrary to that" instead of "contrary to what"?

While "contrary to that" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "contrary to what" is generally used when referring to a statement or belief, making it the more suitable choice in most situations.

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

"Contrary to what" indicates a direct opposition or correction, while "in spite of what" acknowledges something that might impede a result but doesn't prevent it. They are not interchangeable.