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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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contrived

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'contrived' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express something that is obviously artificial or forced. For example: "The politician's explanation sound contrived, as if he was hiding something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite their frequent failure to impose themselves, Rangers contrived and, inexplicably, squandered opportunities to extend their advantage by a convincing margin.

The Revs first penalty might have been a gift of a call, but Nguyen contrived to give that call back with his weak effort.

Meanwhile, Spain and Ireland have contrived to push through reforms, bolster their banks, and move ahead.

News & Media

The Guardian

Solely taking their opening match into account when they contrived to draw with 10-man Greece from a winning position, it could be surmised that they are chokers prone to freezing when the pressure is on, but then they managed to draw with 11-man Russia, one of the tournament's most impressive sides so far, in their second game.

But Jamie Stewart, Scotland director for the Countryside Alliance, disputed the nature of the footage, telling the Guardian: "Having viewed the footage, I am appalled that the League Against Cruel Sports is wasting the Scottish government's time with what is at best subjective and at worst contrived".

News & Media

The Guardian

To be fair to the film, order versus chaos was the central conflict in 17th and 18th-century garden design: the formal parterres, topiary and orderly construction of French and Italian gardens versus the naturalistic (yet still contrived) rolling hills and reflecting lakes which were pioneered by Capability Brown in Britain in the mid-1700s.

And although narratives are inevitable in all such documentaries, here they're never overly contrived.

The Big Things I'm talking about aren't as contrived as Russell's bonce, but equally adored.

Their experimental, vernacular early works reinforced the impression Iain and I assimilated from school and university in the early 70s: that poetry had evolved away from contrived artificialities of rhythm and diction to free verse, and that the high points were TS Eliot's The Waste Land and the rugged, ragged lines of Hugh MacDiarmid.

Nor is he really thought to have contrived the deaths of her former husband, her father-in-law, or his own brother George, Duke of Clarence John Gielgudd).

"It is utterly contrived," says Henry Edwards-Wood, 25, spokesman of the Long Live Southbank campaign.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing artistic endeavors or solutions, choose "contrived" to signal a lack of originality or an over-engineered quality that detracts from its naturalness.

Common error

Avoid using "contrived" when you simply mean something is complex or difficult to understand. "Contrived" specifically implies artificiality and a deliberate construction that feels unnatural or insincere, not just complicated.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "contrived" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something appears artificially planned or forced, often lacking genuine feeling or spontaneity. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "contrived" is used to describe something artificial, forced, and lacking genuine feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various writing contexts. It's frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business settings to express criticism or disapproval of artificiality or insincerity. Alternatives include "artificial", "unnatural", and "forced", each with subtle differences in meaning. Remember to use "contrived" when you want to convey that something is deliberately constructed in a way that seems unnatural or insincere, avoiding its use when you simply mean something is complex.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "contrived" in a sentence?

Use "contrived" to describe something artificial and deliberately planned, often in a way that seems forced or insincere. For example, "The plot twist felt "contrived" and didn't naturally flow from the story."

What are some alternatives to "contrived"?

Depending on the context, you could use "artificial", "unnatural", "forced", or "fabricated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "contrived"?

When something is described as "contrived", it means it appears artificially planned or forced, lacking genuine feeling or spontaneity. It suggests a deliberate construction that feels unnatural or insincere.

Is "contrived" always negative?

Yes, "contrived" generally has a negative connotation. It implies that something is artificial, insincere, or overly planned, which typically detracts from its value or appeal. While not always intensely critical, it's rarely used in a positive way.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: