is actually the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is actually the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the opposite of what was previously stated or assumed. Example: "While many believe the project will succeed, the data shows that it is actually the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the contrary, it is actually the mainstream view of climatologists and scientists in relevant disciplines that global warming is real and, if unchecked, could result in ecological disasters.

The New York Times

To the contrary, it is actually the small acts of random kindness that opens the heart and fuels the principle of unconditional love!

WikiHow

When you think about products that are presented as virtually free--public television, social media--they are either delivered by a non-profit entity as some sort of public good or, to the contrary, the consumer is actually the mark.

Forbes

Contrary to popular belief the surgery performed as outpatient procedure is actually the safest.

WikiHow

But the evidence is actually to the contrary: promises and goals can make a difference.

Huffington Post

In the UK it was the Warnock Commission that advised on appropriate regulation, and not only was this not an exclusively scientific endeavour, on the contrary, Anne McLaren was actually the only scientist on the Commission.

The Guardian

In addition to Brexit and the rise of Euroscepticism, the recent irregular migration crisis has also convincingly proved that the nation-state has a strong gravitational power in the European integration process; thus, the European integration is actually reversible contrary to the supranationalist/constructivist assumption (Kaplan, 2017).

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

"I look at a lot of Chinese wallpaper, and I've never seen one where the idea is actually contrary to the average idea," he said.

The New York Times

However, in current studies of fractal tree-like networks used in microchannel design, the wall was always regarded as a non-porous structure, and the porous tissue surrounding the network was overlooked, which is actually contrary to the real plant branching system, where water can penetrate into the surrounding tissue through the permeable wall.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

Beijing enjoys a big megaphone in America even as it blocks U.S. media outlets, hinders independent scholars and limits U.S. "The way that the economy has developed over the past generation is actually gone contrary to a lot of the existing economic models.

Stanford University

The creative industries may be perceived by many as diverse working environments, but the facts are actually to the contrary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is actually the contrary", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the initial expectation or belief was. This provides a stronger contrast and makes your statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "is actually the contrary" in very simple sentences where a more direct negation would suffice. For example, instead of "The sky is actually the contrary of blue", say "The sky is not blue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is actually the contrary" functions as a connector, signaling a direct contradiction to a previously stated or implied idea. It serves to introduce information that is the opposite of what might be expected. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase highlights the reversal of expectations.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is actually the contrary" functions as a connector to express a direct contradiction or reversal of expectation. While grammatically correct and generally acceptable, it's crucial to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy and ensure clarity. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid for use in the English language but examples are currently missing. Consider related phrases like "is in fact the opposite" or "is truly the reverse" for variety and emphasis. The register leans towards neutral, making it suitable for various informative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in fact the opposite

Replaces 'actually' with 'in fact' for emphasis and uses 'opposite' instead of 'contrary'.

is truly the reverse

Substitutes 'actually' with 'truly' to stress authenticity and replaces 'contrary' with 'reverse'.

is quite the opposite

Uses "quite the opposite" for a more emphatic reversal.

is essentially the inverse

Replaces 'contrary' with 'inverse' to denote a direct mathematical or logical opposite.

is precisely the other way around

Offers a more colloquial and emphatic way of expressing the contrary nature.

is the direct antithesis

Employs 'antithesis' for a more formal and literary tone, indicating a sharp contrast.

is fundamentally different

Suggests a basic or core level disagreement.

is at odds with

Highlights a conflict or disagreement.

is at variance with

Similar to 'at odds with', but slightly more formal.

represents a departure from

Indicates a move away from a previous idea or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "is actually the contrary" in a sentence?

Use "is actually the contrary" to emphasize that something is the direct opposite of what is expected or believed. For example: "Many believe that the project is failing, but the data shows it "is actually the contrary"".

What are some alternatives to "is actually the contrary"?

Alternatives include "is in fact the opposite", "is truly the reverse", or "is quite the opposite", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it redundant to use "actually" with "the contrary"?

While using both "actually" and "the contrary" can add emphasis, it's important to ensure the phrasing doesn't become unnecessarily wordy. Consider whether "actually" strengthens the statement or if it can be omitted without losing meaning.

When is it best to use "is actually the contrary" over simpler negations?

Use "is actually the contrary" when you want to strongly emphasize that something is not just different, but directly opposed to a previous assumption or statement. It adds a layer of unexpected reversal.