course contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "course contrary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a situation or action that goes against a particular course of action or established norm. Example: "The decision was made in a course contrary to the recommendations of the advisory board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Such a belief is, of course, contrary to the teachings of Christianity, which maintains that all have a moral sense, being made in God's image.

The Guardian - Opinion

White House press secretary Sean Spicer, demonstrating just how ham-handed the Trump team can be, told them to "get with the program" or leave, which is, of course, contrary to entire spirit and purpose of the Dissent Channel.

The Washington Post

Of course, contrary to my earlier suggestion about the obvious resonance, it wasn't any kind of horror movie, but a story about a man gradually realising he loves the wife he married for convenience.

The Guardian - Film

That's the effect - but of course, contrary to the essentially unobtrusive verbal technique associated with 'the haiku spirit', a richly-stocked individual mind, a mind brimmed with Shakespeare and the Bible and the Greek, Latin and Welsh languages he studied, is an endlessly active 'mediator' in his poetic picture.

The Guardian - Books

This is, of course, contrary to common moral intuitions.

SEP

This is, of course, contrary to the sometimes deeply ingrained opinion held by some seasoned academics that most undergraduates are a bit dim.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These courses, contrary to what you reported, charge their residents comparable greens fees and nonresident fees.

The New York Times

Comey's prepared testimony did include that comment from Trump about finding out if others were involved — which, of course, runs contrary to Trump's flat statements in the past that there was no collusion.

The Washington Post

This is, of course, quite contrary to classical physics and common sense, which say that the same measurement on the same object in the same state must produce the same result.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(This, of course, is contrary to the experience of many users, and it bears mentioning that I had to call the company and identify myself as a reporter before I got any sort of offer of help).

Forbes

Only about 10percentt of the difference is due to the differences in wages, which of course is contrary to popular belief and to the contentions of our country's 'free traders,' who it seems like blaming American manufacturing workers for getting paid too much.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "course contrary to", ensure that the context clearly defines what the expected or standard 'course' is. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "course contrary to" when a milder form of disagreement is intended. If the situation involves a simple difference of opinion rather than a direct contradiction, phrases like "different approach" or "alternative perspective" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course contrary to" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that an action or decision diverges from an established plan or principle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and usable expression in English, serving to highlight a deviation or opposition. Examples in Ludwig show it used in varied contexts, emphasizing its role in specifying how something differs from the expected.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

26%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "course contrary to" is a formal phrase used to indicate that something opposes or deviates from a specified plan or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not exceedingly common, its presence in news, science, and academic texts makes it suitable for formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the expected 'course' and be mindful of the level of opposition you wish to convey. Alternatives like "action against" or "path in opposition to" may offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Remember that its formal tone makes it less appropriate for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

action against

Emphasizes a direct action taken in opposition.

path in opposition to

Focuses on the direction being opposite.

conduct conflicting with

Highlights the conflict between the conduct and something else.

behavior inconsistent with

Stresses the lack of consistency.

approach divergent from

Emphasizes the difference in approach.

strategy at odds with

Highlights the disagreement or conflict between strategies.

policy contradicting

Focuses on the direct contradiction in policy.

practice differing from

Emphasizes the difference in practice.

steps diverging from

Highlights the act of taking steps away from something.

line of action opposed to

Highlights that the whole line of action is against something.

FAQs

How can I use "course contrary to" in a sentence?

You can use "course contrary to" to indicate that an action or decision goes against a particular plan, expectation, or principle. For example: "The decision was made in a "course contrary to" the recommendations of the advisory board."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "course contrary to"?

Similar phrases include "action against", "path in opposition to", or "conduct conflicting with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of opposition you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "course contrary to"?

Use "course contrary to" when you want to emphasize that something deviates significantly from a standard or expected path. It's suitable in formal contexts where you need to highlight a direct contradiction or opposition.

Is "course contrary to" considered formal language?

Yes, "course contrary to" is generally considered formal language. It is often found in academic, legal, or professional writing where precise and clear communication is essential.