evidence to contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evidence to contrary" is not correct; it should be "evidence to the contrary." You can use it when discussing information that opposes a previously stated claim or belief. Example: "Despite the evidence to the contrary, he maintained his position." Alternative expressions include "evidence to the opposite" and "contradictory evidence."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We also added non-gene associated reactions and exchange reactions in iAF692 to the model unless we found evidence to contrary.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Does anyone have evidence to the contrary?

The New York Times

Prosecutors offered evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times

There is no evidence to the contrary.

The Economist

Now MPs want evidence to the contrary.

The Economist

He volunteers little evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian - Sport

Each ignores evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times - Books

There is evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian

There is circumstantial evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times - Sports

Could we find evidence to the contrary?

The Guardian - Books

They are oblivious to any evidence to the contrary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting opposing information, use the grammatically correct phrase "evidence to the contrary" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "the" before "contrary". Saying "evidence to contrary" is grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Always use "evidence to the contrary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evidence to the contrary" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces information that contradicts a previously stated claim or belief. Although Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect, many examples still use it, it is a common mistake to omit the article "the" before "contrary".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "evidence to contrary" aims to introduce contradictory information, it is grammatically incorrect. The accurate form is "evidence to the contrary". Ludwig AI analysis indicates while not technically correct, its usage is fairly frequent in news and media. To enhance clarity and maintain grammatical precision, always include the article "the". Alternatives such as "evidence to the opposite" or "contradictory evidence" can provide similar meaning. Despite its incorrectness, this specific phrase seems to be broadly used in news articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence to the opposite

Replaces "contrary" with "opposite", offering a more direct synonym that means the complete reverse.

evidence against that

Focuses on the opposing nature of the evidence, indicating it argues against a specific point.

contradictory evidence

Uses an adjective to describe the evidence, highlighting its conflicting nature.

opposing evidence

Similar to "contradictory evidence", but uses a different adjective to emphasize the opposition.

evidence suggesting otherwise

Emphasizes the evidence's role in implying a different conclusion.

evidence indicating the reverse

Highlights that the evidence points to the complete opposite situation.

proof to the contrary

Replaces "evidence" with "proof", suggesting a higher level of certainty in the opposing information.

data to the contrary

Replaces "evidence" with "data", implying a more statistical or factual basis for the opposing information.

findings to the contrary

Replaces "evidence" with "findings", suggesting the opposing information comes from research or investigation.

information to the contrary

Uses a broader term, "information", to refer to the opposing details.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say there is proof against something?

The correct phrase is "evidence to the contrary". It indicates information that contradicts a previous statement. For example, "Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he still insisted he was right."

What can I use instead of "evidence to the contrary"?

Alternatives include "evidence to the opposite", "contradictory evidence", or "opposing evidence". Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "evidence to contrary"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "evidence to the contrary". The definite article "the" is essential for proper grammar.

How does "evidence to the contrary" differ from "evidence against"?

"Evidence to the contrary" implies a general contradiction of a statement. "Evidence against", like "evidence against that", is more directly targeted at a specific claim or action.