inevitable contradiction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inevitable contradiction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or statement that inherently contains conflicting elements that cannot be reconciled. Example: "The idea that we can achieve complete freedom while adhering to strict rules presents an inevitable contradiction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A tragic, because inevitable, contradiction of modern, scientific medicine is that its application so often depends on the timescale of disease, whilst its efficacy lies in the timescale of illness (Frankenberg, 1992).

Aging and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So there are inevitable contradictions and hypocrisies between government rhetoric and political reality.

The Guardian

Each of these interpretive turns was met by Śāntarakṣita with logical analysis demonstrating what he considered to be the inevitable contradictions that ensue by the various attempts at claiming that consciousness is truly singular.

SEP

Viewers may be interested in exploring the line between good and bad, but more often than not they are simply looking for characters and/or a story compelling enough to allow them to overlook the inevitable contradictions and sloppy cheats.

Los Angeles Times

"The departure point for the piece was a reflection on how much influence we humans have on our environment, and on the inevitable contradictions in our attempts to control it," says Yuditskaya.

Vice

Not only does Elizabeth Rubin take us up close to the horrors of fighting an insurgency, but she manages to expose the moral dilemmas men like Captain Kearney face and the inevitable moral contradictions that arise in that environment.

The New York Times

He had more opinions than he knew how to organize, which made self-contradiction inevitable, and he did not believe in keeping his opinions down for the sake of mere consistency.

The New York Times

Given the state the country is in, it was always ridiculous to think that herding young and adult Equatorial Guineans like sheep to the stadium to support the team would not expose the inevitable cracks and contradictions.

The Guardian

As the 1990s wound on, with Mandela and the ANC finally in power and the long, grinding struggle against apartheid receding into the distance, it was inevitable that such contradictions would be smoothed over.

The Guardian

The EU's members are part-integrated and part-sovereign, and the contradictions cause inevitable upheavals.

The Economist

Contradiction is thus inevitable".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inevitable contradiction", ensure that the context clearly establishes both the inevitability and the contradictory elements. Avoid vague or abstract uses where the contradiction isn't easily identifiable.

Common error

Avoid using "inevitable contradiction" when the contradiction is merely likely or probable, not definitively certain. Overusing 'inevitable' weakens the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inevitable contradiction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard construction used to denote an unavoidable conflict or inconsistency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inevitable contradiction" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe unavoidable conflicts or inconsistencies. It functions as a noun phrase and is suitable for formal to neutral registers across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While there aren't a large number of exact examples, the phrase has a solid presence. When using "inevitable contradiction", ensure the context makes the inevitability and contradiction clear. Alternatives include "unavoidable paradox" and "inescapable conflict", which offer nuanced perspectives on the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unavoidable paradox

Emphasizes the paradoxical nature of the contradiction, highlighting its seemingly self-opposing elements, instead of its inevitability.

inescapable conflict

Focuses on the conflict aspect, underlining its impossibility to avoid or prevent but dropping the "contradiction" reference.

unresolvable inconsistency

Stresses the lack of possibility for resolution of the inconsistency, highlighting that it cannot be fixed.

inherent inconsistency

Highlights the inconsistency as a built-in or intrinsic attribute of the situation.

built-in conflict

Emphasizes that the conflict is an integral part of the situation.

certain paradox

Conveys the certainty and paradoxical nature of the situation.

fated inconsistency

Indicates that the inconsistency is predetermined and cannot be changed.

destined contradiction

Focuses on the predetermined nature of the contradiction, suggesting it was meant to happen.

predetermined conflict

Highlights that the conflict was decided in advance.

necessary paradox

Emphasizes that the paradox is a required or unavoidable element.

FAQs

How can "inevitable contradiction" be used in a sentence?

You can use "inevitable contradiction" to describe situations or ideas where conflicting elements are inherently present and cannot be avoided. For instance: "The coexistence of individual freedom and collective security often leads to an inevitable contradiction".

What phrases are similar to "inevitable contradiction"?

Alternatives include "unavoidable paradox", "inescapable conflict", or "inherent inconsistency", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the concept.

Is it appropriate to use "inevitable contradiction" in formal writing?

Yes, "inevitable contradiction" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when analyzing complex issues or arguments where inherent conflicts exist. Its usage is evident in academic and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "inevitable contradiction" and "simple contradiction"?

"Inevitable contradiction" suggests that the contradiction is unavoidable and inherent to the situation, whereas "simple contradiction" merely identifies a conflict without implying its inevitability.