however contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however contrary" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contrast or contradiction to the previous statement. Example: "The weather forecast predicted a sunny day; however, contrary to their prediction, a storm rolled in later that afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, contrary to years prior, the allegations caused shock.

The Guardian

However, contrary to widespread belief, electroconvulsive therapy is extremely effective.

The New York Times

However, contrary to the storm of reporting about the issue, some doubt remains.

The Guardian

However, contrary to expectations, the crowds were small (apart from a large presence of reporters).

The Washington Post

However, contrary to Mrs. Flayton's negative vision of children, it is possible to keep communication open.

The New York Times

However, contrary to RefRN, we used different RefRN targets to build a single RefN.

Nature

However, contrary to popular belief, the industry is not at risk of dying – far from it.

The Guardian - Books

However, contrary to the naive hypothesis, pain significantly increased after training with the phantom decoder.

Nature

However, contrary to expectations, self-reported gaming habits did not impact participation.

Computers & Education

However, contrary to our expectation, responsiveness affects neither e-satisfaction nor e-trust.

Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services

However, contrary to what happens with the Y chromosome, the easternmost district was the most diverse.

International Congress Series

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to introduce empirical data that challenges a common myth or a previously stated hypothesis to heighten the impact of your argument.

Common error

Writers sometimes forget the comma after "however", which can lead to a 'squinting modifier' where it is unclear if "however" modifies the whole sentence or just the word "contrary". Additionally, ensure "contrary" is followed by "to" when introducing a specific object of contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however contrary" functions as a conjunctive adverbial bridge. It uses "however" as a transition to signal a shift in thought, while "contrary" acts as an adjective (often part of a prepositional phrase with 'to') to specify the nature of that shift as a direct contradiction. According to Ludwig AI, it is standard for introducing counter-evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however contrary" is a highly robust linguistic construction used to pivot from established expectations to new, often surprising, realities. Ludwig AI and the provided search data confirm its prevalence in high-impact scientific and journalistic writing. It serves as a clear signal to the reader that what follows will challenge a previous assertion or common belief. To use it correctly, remember the importance of punctuation—specifically the comma after "however"—and the necessary preposition "to" when linking to the contradicted idea. Whether you are debunking a myth in the The New York Times or reporting unexpected trial results in Nature, this phrase ensures your contrast is both formal and sharp.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversely contrary to

Uses an adverb that emphasizes a logical reversal of the previous point.

but contrary to

A simpler, more direct conjunction for informal or fast-paced reporting.

yet contrary to

Adds a slight sense of surprise or irony to the contradiction.

nonetheless contrary to

Emphasizes that the fact remains true despite what was previously mentioned.

however in contrast to

Focuses on the difference between two things rather than a direct contradiction.

on the contrary

A standalone phrase used to signal that the opposite of what was just said is true.

at odds with

An idiomatic expression describing a state of disagreement or inconsistency.

nevertheless

A formal transition that concedes the previous point but introduces a new fact.

contrariwise

An archaic or very formal adverb meaning 'on the other hand'.

against expectations

Explicitly mentions that the result was not what was anticipated.

FAQs

How to use "however contrary" in a sentence?

You can use it to lead into a finding that contradicts an earlier statement. For example: "Many expected the stock to fall; however, contrary to these predictions, it reached an all-time high."

What can I say instead of "however contrary"?

You can use more concise alternatives like "<a href="/s/conversely" target="_blank" rel="alternative">conversely", "<a href="/s/but+contrary+to" target="_blank" rel="alternative">but contrary to", or "<a href="/s/in+contrast" target="_blank" rel="alternative">in contrast" depending on the desired level of formality.

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

"<a href="/s/on+the+contrary" target="_blank" rel="alternative">on the contrary" is typically a standalone phrase that denies a previous statement, while "however contrary" usually requires a following object, such as in "however, contrary to expectations".

Is "however contrary" formal enough for scientific papers?

Yes, as shown in Ludwig examples from Nature and ScienceDirect, it is a staple of academic and scientific registers used to present results that deviate from hypotheses.