contravenes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contravenes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something goes against or violates a rule, law, or agreement. Example: "The new policy contravenes existing regulations regarding employee conduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Ash said: "This email contravenes our organisational values and standards and there is absolutely no room in this constabulary for this type of communication.

The Guardian

However, we also want the debates on the site to be productive, and a welcoming space for all, and we encourage readers to report behaviour they think contravenes our community standards".

The Guardian - Opinion

When you click on 'Report Abuse" the comment goes into a report queue to be viewed by a duty moderator, who will then judge whether it contravenes the community standards.

The Guardian

I encouraged readers to complain, on the grounds that the BBC's failure to disclose his interests in the issue he was discussing flatly contravenes three of its editorial guidelines.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the past, says John Pike of GlobalSecurity, a think-tank, several American news organisations have threatened to challenge shutter control in the courts on the grounds that it contravenes freedom of speech.

The Economist

The decisions hinge on a technicality: whether a change in payment priorities, triggered by bankruptcy proceedings, contravenes local bankruptcy law.

The Economist

Is "system malfunction" a justifiable defence for a robotic fighter plane that contravenes the Geneva Convention and mistakenly fires on innocent civilians?

The Economist

Not that Pyongyang is concerned about that: the exchange follows the North's flaunting of a surprisingly advanced uranium-enrichment facility this weekend which, as both US and South Korean officials are keen to point out, contravenes UN Security Council resolutions.As ever in North Korea it is hard to know what is going through the minds of the men giving the orders.

The Economist

The Supreme Court will have to weigh the cost of compelling the business owners to do something that contravenes their religious practice against the cost imposed on others (namely employees) by accommodating the owners' beliefs.

The Economist

Besides, they say, it contravenes the European convention on human rights, which is about to become part of British law.

The Economist

Big-city boys ReprintsTrue, Welfare's willingness to let civil servants wear head-scarves in public offices contravenes a high-court ruling on the subject.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contravenes", ensure that you clearly state what rule, law, or principle is being violated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contravenes" with plural subjects. Remember that "contravenes" is the third-person singular form of the verb "contravene".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contravenes" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that something is in violation of a rule, law, or principle. Examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from legal matters to organizational values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contravenes" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb, particularly in formal contexts, to indicate a violation of rules or principles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to express non-compliance or conflict with established norms. It appears most often in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Encyclopedia sources, lending it a formal to neutral tone. When using "contravenes", clarity is key: explicitly state what rule is being violated. Alternative phrasing includes "violates", "infringes upon", and "breaches", each with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violates

This is a direct synonym, indicating a breach of a rule or law.

infringes upon

This suggests a more subtle violation or encroachment.

breaches

Similar to "violates", but often used in the context of agreements or contracts.

is in violation of

This is a more formal and explicit way of saying that something violates a rule or law.

runs counter to

This implies a direct opposition or conflict.

defies

Suggests an open and intentional resistance or disregard.

contradicts

Indicates a conflict or inconsistency in statements or actions.

goes against

A more informal way of saying something opposes or violates a rule.

disobeys

Implies a failure to follow instructions or commands.

flouts

This suggests an open and contemptuous disregard.

FAQs

How to use "contravenes" in a sentence?

"Contravenes" is used to indicate that something violates or goes against a rule, law, or principle. For example, "The new policy "contravenes" existing regulations regarding employee conduct."

What can I say instead of "contravenes"?

You can use alternatives like "violates", "infringes upon", or "breaches" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contravenes" or "contravene"?

"Contravenes" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "contravene". Use "contravenes" when the subject is singular (e.g., "the policy contravenes"). Use "contravene" with plural subjects (e.g., "they contravene").

What's the difference between "contravenes" and "violates"?

Both "contravenes" and "violates" indicate a breach of a rule or law. "Contravenes" is often considered more formal and is frequently used in legal or official contexts.