contrary to widespread assumption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to widespread assumption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that challenges or contradicts a commonly held belief or opinion. Example: "Contrary to widespread assumption, not all species of birds migrate during the winter months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Contrary to widespread assumption, action on climate change is not dependent on a new legally binding international agreement.

The Guardian

Contrary to widespread assumption, prosecutors said they had not struck a plea agreement with the 70-year-old fund manager - which means Madoff can expect the full weight of punishment to descend on his shoulders.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Contrary to widespread assumptions, it is not the absence of capability but the exclusion of capable people from the government that has hollowed the state from within.

The Guardian - Opinion

Contrary to widespread assumptions, HR crops do not provide consistently better yields than conventional crops.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Cawley and Meyerhoefer (2012) provides an extended discussion on this issue, including this citation: "Contrary to widespread assumptions about the influence of the family environment, living in the same home in childhood appears to confer little similarity in adult BMI beyond that expected from the degree of genetic resemblance".

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Obama's observation confirms an earlier Huffington Post report that, contrary to widespread assumptions in the United States, Iran was not the driving force of the crisis in Yemen.

Huffington Post

It is probably the most difficult problem of all in phylogenetics, but not yet solved – contrary to widespread assumptions [ 1, 2].

Biology Direct

Contrary to widespread belief, no discrimination was found.

The Economist

However, contrary to widespread belief, electroconvulsive therapy is extremely effective.

The New York Times

Contrary to widespread opinion, avoidance of gluten is not the main beneficial factor for most people.

Stanford University

Contrary to widespread opinion, the CIUS did not copy the institutional model of the HURI.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the statement following it is well-supported by evidence, as you are challenging a prevalent viewpoint.

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to widespread assumption" when the belief is not truly widespread or is limited to a specific group. Overstating the prevalence of the assumption weakens the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to widespread assumption" functions as a discourse marker. It introduces a statement that contradicts a generally accepted belief, signaling a shift in perspective or providing new information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contrary to widespread assumption" is a grammatically sound and usable expression employed to introduce statements that contradict common beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions as a discourse marker, signaling a shift in perspective and challenging preconceived notions, often in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its utility in analytical and persuasive writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the opposing statement is well-supported by evidence to effectively challenge existing assumptions. Alternatives like "contrary to popular belief" and "despite common assumptions" offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to popular belief

Replaces "widespread assumption" with "popular belief", focusing on general acceptance rather than a specific assumption.

despite common assumptions

Uses "despite" to introduce the contrasting information, emphasizing a challenge to the assumptions.

in contrast to general opinion

Highlights the difference from a general opinion, rather than a specific assumption.

against the grain of conventional wisdom

Implies the statement goes against established or traditional beliefs.

defying common expectations

Suggests the statement does not meet typical expectations.

in opposition to prevailing thought

Emphasizes direct opposition to the current dominant perspective.

challenging the conventional view

Focuses on questioning or disputing the established viewpoint.

diverging from accepted wisdom

Highlights the difference from what is generally considered wise or true.

unconventionally

A simple adverb that can be use to set up a differing statement

notwithstanding widespread notions

Uses "notwithstanding" to indicate that despite the common notions, the following is true.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to widespread assumption" in a sentence?

You can use "contrary to widespread assumption" to introduce a statement that opposes a commonly held belief. For example, "Contrary to widespread assumption, action on climate change is not dependent on a new legally binding international agreement".

What phrases are similar to "contrary to widespread assumption"?

Similar phrases include "contrary to popular belief", "despite common assumptions", or "in contrast to general opinion".

When is it appropriate to use "contrary to widespread assumption"?

Use this phrase when you want to highlight a difference between a common belief and a fact or a new perspective. Ensure that you can support your opposing statement with evidence.

Is "contrary to widespread assumption" a formal or informal phrase?

"Contrary to widespread assumption" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, depending on the overall tone and purpose of the writing.