contrastingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contrastingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an adverb to express the idea that two things are different or opposite. For example: She is an outgoing and friendly person, while her brother is contrastingly shy and introverted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Contrastingly, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman – Republicans – are entirely self-made women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Green groups go further, deriding Mr Bush as the "Toxic Texan", and most of them have thrown their support behind John Kerry.Are Mr Bush's policies really so poisonous, and those of Mr Kerry so contrastingly fragrant?

The Economist

The plot of Double Falsehood centring on two young women, one of whom is highborn and the other of lowly origins, together with two men who are contrastingly honourable and villainous is the stuff out of which many a tragicomic play might have been written in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The name is given to the Lanius species (see shrike) of the family Laniidae and in Australia to the four to seven species of Cracticus; these are contrastingly patterned (usually black-gray-white) members of the family Cracticidae (order Passeriformes).

Encyclopedia Britannica

William Chubb is contrastingly frosty as the cardinal and Tim McInnerny, as the doge, is fantastically volatile, sometime cool as a cucumber, sometimes a sweating bag of nerves.

Independent

Definitely watch out for Katie West and Sophie Wu (contrastingly gentle and snide) as well as Sturridge and Banks.

Independent

When Essex's The Bohicas follow, their R'n'B sounds contrastingly vague and slick.

Independent

Before the Party is, contrastingly, set in leafy Surrey amidst the well-heeled middle-classes in 1949.

Independent

The sun blazed all day – a rare treat – and the pitch was increasingly docile but having been behind in the match throughout, and given a helping hand by Friday's contrastingly awful weather, they never even contemplated throwing their wickets away in pursuit of an unlikely outcome.

Independent

Kvitova, contrastingly, plays tennis noiselessly, with the notable exception of a loud, sudden squawk, as if somebody has inadvertently stepped on a chicken.

Independent

They have plain, often glossy plumage that may be monochromatic or contrastingly patterned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrastingly" to clearly signal a shift to an opposing idea or characteristic, ensuring the reader understands the relationship between the contrasting elements. For example: "The first half of the movie was slow-paced; contrastingly, the second half was filled with action."

Common error

Avoid using "contrastingly" simply as a stylistic variation of "however" or "but". "Contrastingly" should emphasize a direct and noticeable difference, not just a general change in thought. For example, instead of writing "He was tired, contrastingly he went to the gym", a better phrasing might be "He was normally energetic, contrastingly, he seemed subdued today".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "contrastingly" functions primarily as a conjunctive adverb. It serves to connect two clauses or sentences, signaling that the second presents a contrast or opposition to the first. As Ludwig AI points out, it highlights a distinct difference between subjects or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "contrastingly" serves to highlight significant differences and introduce opposing viewpoints in written and spoken English. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in varied contexts, from news media to encyclopedias. While alternatives like "conversely" or "in contrast" exist, "contrastingly" offers a clear signal for an upcoming opposition. Keep in mind to emphasize a direct and noticeable difference and avoid using "contrastingly" simply as a stylistic variation of "however" or "but". With a strong source quality score and expert rating, it is a reliable choice for expressing contrast. It can be a useful asset if employed wisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversely

Indicates an opposite or reverse relationship, emphasizing the flip side of a situation.

on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting point of view or aspect, providing a balanced perspective.

in contrast

Directly highlights the difference between two things, focusing on their opposing qualities.

by contrast

Similar to "in contrast", but often used to introduce a more striking or unexpected difference.

differently

A more general term indicating a variation or distinction, without necessarily implying opposition.

in opposition

Suggests a direct conflict or antagonism between two things, highlighting their incompatibility.

as opposed to

Emphasizes the distinction by presenting one option as an alternative to another.

unlike

Highlights the dissimilar nature of two things, focusing on their distinct characteristics.

in a different vein

Introduces a contrasting idea or approach, often in a more nuanced or subtle way.

alternatively

Presents another option or possibility, suggesting a choice between two different courses of action.

FAQs

How can I use "contrastingly" in a sentence?

"Contrastingly" is used to highlight a distinct difference between two subjects or ideas. For example: "The weather was sunny yesterday; "contrastingly", it is raining today."

What are some alternatives to using the word "contrastingly"?

Alternatives to "contrastingly" include "conversely", "on the other hand", or "in contrast". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "contrastingly" after already establishing a contrast?

While it might seem redundant, using "contrastingly" can strengthen the signal that you're about to present an opposing viewpoint, especially if the contrast isn't immediately obvious. However, avoid overusing it to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

What's the difference between "contrastingly" and "conversely"?

Both "contrastingly" and "conversely" indicate a contrast, but "contrastingly" emphasizes a difference in characteristics, while "conversely" often implies a complete reversal of a situation. For example: "The stock price rose; "conversely", investor confidence fell."