having a contrary emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having a contrary emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a feeling that opposes or contradicts another emotion being experienced. Example: "While she was happy for her friend's success, she found herself having a contrary emotion of jealousy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

You may call such choices contrary, and certainly Mr. Taylor has a contrary mind.

The New York Times - Arts

Nor can the species or the genus have a contrary.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The angle β has a contrary trend.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Unlike Aristotle, Aquinas denied that anger has a contrary.

SEP

After some discussion, Sarah agreed she had a contrary desire.

Huffington Post

Cuban drag has a certain emotion to it.

Los Angeles Times

Every song has a different emotion, different vibe, different space.

Los Angeles Times

But a single thing has a single contrary; and upward and downward motion are the contraries of one another.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Court having reached a contrary conclusion, I respectfully dissent.

Cornell University

So we had a lot of emotion".

The New York Times - Sports

"I had a thousand emotions.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having a contrary emotion" to precisely describe a situation where someone experiences an emotion that directly opposes another emotion they are feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "having mixed emotions" when you specifically mean opposing emotions. "Mixed emotions" implies a blend of various feelings, while "having a contrary emotion" indicates a direct contradiction between feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a contrary emotion" functions as a descriptive phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the state of experiencing an emotion that opposes or contradicts another concurrent emotion. It identifies and labels a specific emotional state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having a contrary emotion" accurately describes experiencing an emotion that directly opposes another, a state recognized by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound, its usage is relatively rare. It's important to differentiate this from simply having mixed emotions, which implies a blend of various feelings rather than a direct contradiction. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates opposing emotions. Consider alternatives like "experiencing conflicting feelings" for similar concepts. Its usage spans across News & Media, Academia and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing conflicting feelings

Focuses on the presence of multiple, opposing feelings simultaneously.

having contradictory feelings

Highlights the logical opposition between the emotions.

feeling an opposing emotion

Highlights the presence of an emotion that is directly opposite to the primary one.

experiencing emotional conflict

Focuses on the struggle between different emotions.

having mixed emotions

Indicates a blend of different emotions, not necessarily contradictory but varied.

feeling ambivalent

Suggests uncertainty or indecisiveness due to conflicting emotions.

experiencing emotional dissonance

Emphasizes the discomfort caused by holding conflicting beliefs or emotions.

feeling torn

Conveys a sense of being pulled in two different emotional directions.

feeling at odds with oneself emotionally

Indicates an internal state of emotional disagreement or disharmony.

harboring opposing sentiments

Suggests a more formal or literary way to describe holding conflicting feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "having a contrary emotion" in a sentence?

You can use "having a contrary emotion" to describe experiencing an opposing feeling. For example, "Despite his outward success, he was "having a contrary emotion" of emptiness inside".

What's the difference between "having mixed emotions" and "having a contrary emotion"?

"Having mixed emotions" refers to experiencing a variety of different feelings simultaneously, while "having a contrary emotion" specifically means experiencing an emotion that opposes or contradicts another emotion you are feeling.

What are some alternatives to "having a contrary emotion"?

Some alternatives include "experiencing conflicting feelings", "feeling an opposing emotion", or "feeling ambivalent".

Is it grammatically correct to say "having a contrary emotion"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English and is used to describe a feeling that opposes another.