exactly the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is completely opposite to what was previously stated or implied. Example: "While many believe that the new policy will improve productivity, the data shows exactly the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The reality was exactly the contrary.

The New York Times - Books

To me, it is exactly the contrary of desire.

The New York Times - Arts

"Before the election, we worked 12 hours a day," said Miguel Portillo, 25. "After the election, it was exactly the contrary: nothing more than four hours, six hours, that's it".

The New York Times

Exactly the contrary is true for COH-fluid.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

While the different forms of deism preserve the idea of God and dissolve religion into a vague religiosity, Comte proposes exactly the contrary: a religion with neither God nor the supernatural.

SEP

"I don't like to judge... .. (In my experience, anyone who ever starts a sentence "I don't like to judge" will do exactly the contrary so I prepared myself for her next sentence).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

When I said to Fuad Hussein, President Barzani's chief of staff, that the dispute over Article 140 seemed to have paralyzed Iraq, he shot back, "It is exactly on the contrary: Iraq is paralyzed because there isn't the will to implement the constitution".

The New York Times

"Just the contrary.

The New York Times

Suppose that, corresponding to (i), the constituent of (10) includes exactly one of the contrary properties of sitting and not sitting: say, not sitting.

SEP

A British court that is well versed in international law and has the authority and jurisdiction to hold our government to its international legal obligations is, on the contrary, exactly the forum in which such issues should be considered.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But here's where I will pay close attention, and where I exactly welcome and where on the contrary I don't see anything bad: Mr Trump has declared that he's ready for the full restoration of Russian-American relations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly the contrary" to clearly and emphatically indicate a direct opposition to a previously stated idea or expectation. This phrase works best when correcting a misunderstanding or highlighting a surprising outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly the contrary" when a simple disagreement or different perspective is sufficient. This phrase should be reserved for situations where there's a complete reversal or opposition of facts or expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly the contrary" functions as an emphatic denial or correction, asserting that the truth is precisely the opposite of what has been stated or implied. It often introduces a surprising or unexpected fact. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exactly the contrary" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize a direct and often surprising opposition to a previous statement. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as an emphatic denial. It is most frequently found in news media and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "precisely the opposite" or "quite the reverse" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure it's reserved for situations where there's a complete reversal, avoiding overuse in simple disagreements. This makes your writing more precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely the opposite

Emphasizes the direct opposition and precision of the reversal.

quite the reverse

Highlights the reversal of the situation or idea.

just the opposite

Indicates a simple, direct contradiction.

entirely the contrary

Stresses the completeness of the opposition.

completely the opposite

Emphasizes the total reversal of the initial statement.

on the flip side

Introduces an alternative perspective or outcome.

conversely

Suggests a relationship of opposition or contrast.

in stark contrast

Highlights a significant and noticeable difference.

the very antithesis

Indicates a complete and direct opposition, often in a philosophical context.

the polar opposite

Suggests the furthest possible contrast or opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly the contrary" in a sentence?

Use "exactly the contrary" to indicate a direct opposite of what was previously stated or implied. For example, "Many predicted a decrease in sales, but the data shows "exactly the contrary"."

What phrases are similar to "exactly the contrary"?

Alternatives include "precisely the opposite", "quite the reverse", or "just the opposite". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "exactly the contrary" in formal writing?

Yes, "exactly the contrary" is suitable for formal writing when you need to emphasize a complete opposition to a previous statement. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports.

What is the difference between "exactly the contrary" and "on the contrary"?

"On the contrary" is a more general phrase to introduce an opposing idea, while "exactly the contrary" specifically highlights that something is the direct opposite of what was expected or said. The emphasis is different.