indicates the opposite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicates the opposite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that suggests or points to a contrary meaning or conclusion. Example: "The results of the experiment indicate the opposite of what we initially hypothesized."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

An answer of 5 indicates the opposite.

The New York Times

The mood among Germans indicates the opposite.

The New York Times

But the very complexity of the issue indicates the opposite.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet, if anything, the increasing demand for hundred-dollar bills — still with their image of the famously frugal Benjamin Franklin — indicates the opposite.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Waxman said his examination of news reports indicates the opposite because "Mr. Rove discussed federal policies with senior executives of companies in which he had substantial investments".

The New York Times

Except research indicates the opposite.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In fact, they indicate the opposite.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rest of the experiments, by Hayes and researchers at two other universities, indicated the opposite.

The New Yorker

The reaction in recent months seems instead to indicate the opposite.

The Guardian - Opinion

A really high ratio would indicate the opposite: barely any cash going in.

The Guardian - Opinion

They said they had enhanced the commissioner's position, but details of the committee's report indicated the opposite.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicates the opposite" to clearly signal a contrast or contradiction to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "indicates the opposite" when you only have a correlation. Ensure there's a direct, logical relationship suggesting a contrary meaning, not just a coincidental inverse trend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicates the opposite" functions as a transitive verb phrase that introduces a statement that contradicts or reverses a previous claim or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicates the opposite" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to signal a contradiction or reversal of a preceding statement or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is common in both scientific and news contexts, serving to disagree, present counter-evidence, or correct a misunderstanding. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants a clear contradiction and that no misinterpretation of correlation as direct indication happens. Consider semantically similar alternatives like "suggests the contrary" or "points to the reverse" for a nuanced approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggests the contrary

Focuses on suggestion rather than direct indication.

points to the reverse

Emphasizes direction or tendency towards the opposite.

contradicts the idea

Highlights the direct contradiction of a specific idea.

belies the assumption

Implies that something contradicts a prior, often unspoken, assumption.

negates the premise

Denotes a reversal of a fundamental assumption or basis.

demonstrates the converse

Highlights the proven truth of the inverse or opposite statement.

shows the inverse relationship

Explicitly states that a relationship functions in the opposite direction.

invalidates the hypothesis

Indicates that a hypothesis has been proven wrong or unsupported.

runs counter to

Implies a conflict or opposition to a prevailing trend or belief.

is at odds with

Signifies a lack of agreement or consistency with something else.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "indicates the opposite" in a sentence?

Use "indicates the opposite" to directly contrast a previous statement or expectation with new information. For example, "While initial reports suggested improvement, the latest data "indicates the opposite"".

What are some alternatives to "indicates the opposite"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "suggests the contrary", "points to the reverse", or "contradicts the idea".

Is it appropriate to use "indicates the opposite" in formal writing?

Yes, "indicates the opposite" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly and directly signals a contrast. However, ensure the context warrants such a direct contradiction and consider alternatives if a more nuanced expression is needed.

What's the difference between ""indicates the opposite"" and "suggests an alternative"?

"Indicates the opposite" implies a direct contradiction, while "suggests an alternative" proposes a different possibility without necessarily negating the original idea. The former is stronger and more definitive.