despite evidence to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

"despite evidence to the contrary" is a perfectly grammatical and usable phrase in written English.
It is a way of expressing that something is true, despite evidence that suggests otherwise. For example: "I still believe that the Earth is flat, despite evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite evidence to the contrary, the old stories prevailed.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite evidence to the contrary, the certification was issued.

The Washington Post

Despite evidence to the contrary, spending on prevention is not seen as offering immediate returns.

The Guardian

"Many people have been wrongly assessed and put in Wrag despite evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

When a parent insists their child has problems, despite evidence to the contrary, my heart sinks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite evidence to the contrary, Julie doesn't think of herself as homeless.

The New York Times

Despite evidence to the contrary, continuing strong (and expensive) antibiotics retains a powerful connotation of hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

Climate contrarians are afraid that climate policies will slow economic growth, despite evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

The Popular Party lost that vote, partly because it insisted, despite evidence to the contrary, that ETA had been involved.

The New York Times

The government admits mobilising 'self-defence militias', but denies links to the Janjaweed despite evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

In the late 90s, they believed that everything dotcom was bound to make money, despite evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite evidence to the contrary" to clearly signal a divergence between belief and factual information, enhancing the persuasive impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid employing "despite evidence to the contrary" to brush aside legitimate concerns backed by substantial evidence; this can undermine your credibility and damage your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite evidence to the contrary" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating that the statement holds true even when faced with opposing evidence. This phrase is commonly used to introduce statements that are maintained despite conflicting information, as Ludwig confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite evidence to the contrary" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to highlight the persistence of a statement even when faced with conflicting information. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for neutral and formal contexts, using it responsibly by not dismissing valid concerns is crucial for maintaining credibility. Consider alternatives like "although the evidence indicates differently" or "in defiance of the facts" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite all indications to the contrary

Focuses on conflicting signs and clues.

although the evidence indicates differently

Highlights the indication of differing information through evidence.

contrary to the available evidence

Posits a contradiction to evidence that is accessible and present.

even though the facts suggest otherwise

Directly acknowledges the conflicting information presented by the facts.

in the face of conflicting evidence

Highlights the confrontation with conflicting evidence.

in defiance of the facts

Focuses on the act of actively ignoring or opposing established facts.

even with the opposing evidence

Underscores the presence and resistance to counter evidence.

notwithstanding the proof otherwise

Emphasizes the existence of proof that contradicts the statement.

irrespective of what the evidence shows

Stresses that the evidence is not a factor in the statement's validity.

against all the odds

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of the situation described.

FAQs

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

This phrase introduces a statement that persists even when evidence suggests otherwise. For example, "Despite evidence to the contrary, some people still believe the earth is flat."

What is a more formal way to say "despite evidence to the contrary"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "notwithstanding the proof otherwise" or "in defiance of the facts".

What's the difference between "despite evidence to the contrary" and "although the evidence indicates differently"?

While both acknowledge conflicting evidence, "despite evidence to the contrary" implies a stronger adherence to a belief, whereas "although the evidence indicates differently" is a more neutral observation.

Can "despite evidence to the contrary" be used in scientific writing?

Yes, but use it cautiously. Ensure you're not dismissing valid scientific findings. It's appropriate when discussing persistent misconceptions or beliefs that contradict established science, but also provide alternatives like "contrary to the available evidence".