despite arguments to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite arguments to the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement or opinion that goes against opposing viewpoints or evidence. Example: "Despite arguments to the contrary, the new policy has proven to be effective in improving employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Despite arguments to the contrary, he played rather well in South Africa.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite arguments to the contrary, the school rescue plan can, in fact, do double duty.

The New York Times

Despite arguments to the contrary, the size of the Icesave debt owed by the Icelandic government is relatively small – even for a country of just 320,000 people.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, overall, 48percentt say the targeting of conservative groups was politically motivated -- despite arguments to the contrary from the administration and former IRS employees.

The Washington Post

Despite arguments to the contrary, he said, even people who say an embryo should be treated as a full human life make distinctions by allowing abortions when the mother's life is in danger.

Harvard University

It is Israel that should be sanctioned.David Seddon NorwichSIR – Despite arguments to the contrary, the lack of action by the United Nations and other international bodies has given the government of Israel very limited options.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Judge Joyce Hens Green, who has been reviewing claims filed by several dozen detainees at the United States naval base at Guantánamo Bay, said the detainees were clearly entitled under a Supreme Court ruling last June to challenge the basis for their detention, despite administration arguments to the contrary.

The New York Times

Guthrie views the cosmology as Parmenides' best attempt at giving an account of the sensible world, given that we will continue to be deceived into thinking it exists despite his arguments to the contrary.

SEP

Yet, despite the arguments to the contrary, our rabbis saw their relationship differently.

Huffington Post

Despite her arguments to the contrary, many visitors to Jones' page aren't buying her stated goals of conservation.

HuffPost

25 For economists, the challenge is more daunting, with not only powerful vested interests in the pensions industry but also deeply held beliefs about the "dependency" of older people, despite convincing arguments to the contrary.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase, follow it with a clear and concise explanation or evidence supporting your counter-argument to maintain persuasive integrity.

Common error

Avoid using "despite arguments to the contrary" in overly casual settings. Its formal tone can sound out of place in relaxed conversations; instead, opt for simpler phrases like "even though some say otherwise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite arguments to the contrary" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase used to concede a point before introducing a contrasting perspective. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to highlight that the following statement holds true even when faced with opposing arguments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "despite arguments to the contrary" is a useful tool for introducing viewpoints that challenge or oppose existing claims. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and finds common use in diverse contexts, notably in news media, academia, and scientific writing. Its purpose is to acknowledge counter-arguments while reinforcing the primary point. While versatile, it's essential to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for contexts where its formal tone aligns appropriately. Alternatives like "regardless of opposing views" may offer greater simplicity in informal settings. Based on Ludwig's analysis, mastering this phrase enhances clarity and persuasiveness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notwithstanding opposing viewpoints

Emphasizes that something is true despite the presence of opposing viewpoints; less common idiomatically.

regardless of dissenting opinions

Highlights that an action or belief is maintained even when dissenting opinions exist; more formal tone.

even if there are counter-arguments

Directly acknowledges the presence of counter-arguments; slightly less idiomatic.

in defiance of conflicting perspectives

Suggests a more assertive rejection of differing viewpoints; more emphatic.

irrespective of contradictory claims

Indicates that the truth or validity of something remains unaffected by contradictory claims; more formal.

despite conflicting evidence

Highlights the presence of contradicting evidence; emphasizes resilience against facts.

notwithstanding objections raised

Acknowledges objections but proceeds regardless; formal and emphasizes overcoming resistance.

although some may disagree

Acknowledges potential disagreement; less forceful and more conciliatory.

in spite of counterclaims

Similar to "despite", but places a slightly stronger emphasis on the claims being countered.

even with opposing assertions

Acknowledges the existence of opposing assertions; more descriptive and less idiomatic.

FAQs

How can I use "despite arguments to the contrary" in a sentence?

You can use "despite arguments to the contrary" to introduce a statement that opposes a previously mentioned or commonly held belief. For example: "Despite arguments to the contrary, the new policy has shown significant improvements."

What are some alternatives to "despite arguments to the contrary"?

Alternatives include phrases like "regardless of opposing views", "in spite of counterarguments", or "even if there are counter-arguments" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "in spite of arguments to the contrary" instead of "despite arguments to the contrary"?

Both "despite" and "in spite of" are generally interchangeable in this context. However, "despite" is often considered slightly more concise. The choice depends on personal preference and the overall flow of your writing.

What's the difference between "despite claims to the contrary" and "despite arguments to the contrary"?

"Despite claims to the contrary" is used when addressing statements or assertions, while "despite arguments to the contrary" specifically refers to reasoned or logical oppositions. The former is broader, encompassing any statement, while the latter is more focused on logical disagreements.