conversely to

USAGE SUMMARY

"conversely to" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is generally used to describe an opposite comparison between two things, such as: "The north side of the city is very quiet and peaceful, whereas conversely to that, the south side is quite busy and loud."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Conversely, to tighten rates, the New York Fed borrows money).

The New York Times - Magazine

Conversely, to what extent do they discriminate against one another?

The New York Times - Arts

Conversely, to judge by the successive casts of "Art," actors also enjoy working on her plays.

The New York Times

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory may prove conversely to be the first true threat to the Islamic Republic.

The New York Times

"I wanted the Bedford-Stuyvesant audience to be in Dumbo and conversely to have their audiences over here," he said.

The New York Times

A diverging, final channel is preferred, conversely, to minimize reactant leakage to the outlet.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Conversely to SEUs and their E-isomers that were significantly less active or inactive.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Or, conversely, to set up a couple of pottery wheels and let the clay fly?

The New Yorker

We want our art to bring out the bigot from inside the liberal and conversely to bring out the liberal from inside the bigot.

The Guardian - Arts

Conversely, to see "The Bourne Identity" on terra firma offers some of the pleasures of travel without the expense and inconvenience of flying.

The New York Times

He wrote in rhythmic staggers, was prone to sudden dissonant wrenches on the sweetest melodies, and, conversely, to mellifluous arpeggios that reclaim the bitterest series of chords.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conversely to", ensure that the contrasted elements are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "conversely to" when a simple difference exists, not a direct opposite. Ensure the elements being compared are diametrically opposed, not just distinct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conversely to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast or opposition to a previously stated idea or situation. Ludwig provides examples from various sources demonstrating its use in contrasting elements within scientific, news, and general contexts. This phrase effectively signals a direct reversal or alternative perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conversely to" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a direct contrast or opposite idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its widespread use in various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While similar phrases like "in contrast to" and "unlike" exist, "conversely to" effectively signals a reversed perspective. When using this phrase, ensure a clear and direct contrast is intended to avoid ambiguity. With its neutral register and frequent appearance in authoritative sources, "conversely to" remains a valuable tool for expressing opposition in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in contrast to

Emphasizes a direct opposition or difference between two things.

unlike

Highlights the dissimilar nature of one thing compared to another.

as opposed to

Presents a clear alternative or contrasting option.

contrary to

Indicates a disagreement or opposition with a previous statement or expectation.

on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting point of view or aspect.

by contrast

Signals a noticeable difference when compared to something else.

in opposition to

Highlights an antagonistic or conflicting relationship.

differing from

Focuses on the ways in which two things are not the same.

conversely

A shorter and more direct way to introduce an opposite idea.

in reverse of

Indicates an action or order that is the opposite of what was previously mentioned.

FAQs

How can I use "conversely to" in a sentence?

Use "conversely to" to introduce an element that contrasts directly with a previous statement. For example, "The company's profits increased in Q1; "conversely to" that, they decreased in Q2."

What are some alternatives to "conversely to"?

You can use phrases like "in contrast to", "unlike", or "as opposed to" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "to" after "conversely"?

While "conversely" can stand alone, adding "to" is acceptable when you want to explicitly link it to a contrasting element. "Conversely, the results showed no significant effect" is also correct.

What's the difference between "conversely to" and "contrary to"?

"Contrary to" often introduces something that goes against expectations or common belief, while "conversely to" directly contrasts with a previous statement. You might say, "Contrary to popular belief, the Earth is not flat." However, to contrast: "He enjoys hiking; "conversely to" him, she prefers swimming."