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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
contrived
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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.
News & Media
The Revs first penalty might have been a gift of a call, but Nguyen contrived to give that call back with his weak effort.
News & Media
Meanwhile, Spain and Ireland have contrived to push through reforms, bolster their banks, and move ahead.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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
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.
News & Media
And although narratives are inevitable in all such documentaries, here they're never overly contrived.
News & Media
The Big Things I'm talking about aren't as contrived as Russell's bonce, but equally adored.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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).
News & Media
"It is utterly contrived," says Henry Edwards-Wood, 25, spokesman of the Long Live Southbank campaign.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
artificial
Focuses on the non-natural origin, emphasizing the man-made aspect rather than the intention behind it.
unnatural
Highlights the deviation from what is considered normal or expected.
forced
Emphasizes the lack of spontaneity and the effort required to produce something.
fabricated
Implies that something has been invented or created with the intention to deceive.
staged
Suggests that an event or situation has been planned and arranged for a specific purpose.
manufactured
Similar to fabricated, but often used in the context of emotions or situations.
concocted
Implies a creative but possibly deceptive or improbable invention.
put-on
Suggests a deceptive act, often intended as a joke or prank.
affected
Describes behavior or mannerisms that are artificial and designed to impress.
labored
Highlights the excessive effort and lack of ease in creating something.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested