is contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is contrary to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is different from or opposed to something else. For example: "His belief that the Earth is flat is contrary to scientific consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is contrary to my experience.

The New York Times

It is contrary to our interests".

The New York Times

Greed is contrary to our human existence.

The Guardian - Music

"That is contrary to government accountability".

The New York Times

This is contrary to the tradition of our country.

The New York Times

This is contrary to good practice and good sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

We believe this is contrary to European law".

The Guardian

"It is contrary to the whole notion of natural selection.

The Guardian

Thwarting special reviews is contrary to the profession's interests".

The New York Times

"This way of handling it is contrary to public opinion".

The New York Times

And what happened next is contrary to received wisdom.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is contrary to" to clearly state that something opposes or contradicts another thing, ensuring your language leaves no room for ambiguity. Use the phrase to indicate disagreement, conflict, or opposition between two elements. For example: "This action is contrary to our stated policy."

Common error

Avoid using "is contrary to" in situations where a simple difference or variation exists. This phrase implies a direct opposition, not just a minor deviation. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily confrontational. Instead, use it to highlight genuine incompatibilities or contradictions. For example, don't say: "The weather today is contrary to yesterday's," when you mean "The weather today is different from yesterday's."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is contrary to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, linking a subject with a prepositional complement that expresses opposition or contradiction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct. It shows how one thing deviates or opposes another, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is contrary to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate opposition or contradiction, deemed grammatically correct and very common by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business writing, it serves to clearly state that something opposes or deviates from another. While effective, ensure it's used when there's true opposition, not just minor differences, and consider alternatives like "is opposed to" or "is inconsistent with" for nuanced contexts. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread applicability, while emphasizing the importance of context-appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is opposed to

Focuses on active resistance or disagreement.

is in opposition to

Highlights a state of conflict or antagonism.

is inconsistent with

Emphasizes a lack of logical coherence or compatibility.

is at odds with

Suggests a fundamental disagreement or conflict.

clashes with

Implies a direct and forceful conflict.

contradicts

Directly asserts the opposite of something.

differs from

Indicates a divergence or dissimilarity.

is the antithesis of

Highlights a complete and direct opposite.

is averse to

Suggests a strong dislike or disinclination.

runs counter to

Implies a movement against or in opposition to.

FAQs

How can I use "is contrary to" in a sentence?

Use "is contrary to" to show that one thing opposes or contradicts another. For instance, "His decision "is contrary to" company policy" indicates a direct conflict with established rules.

What's the difference between "is contrary to" and "is different from"?

"Is contrary to" indicates opposition or contradiction, while "is different from" simply means there's a distinction. Use "is contrary to" when there's a direct conflict or incompatibility, not just a variation. For instance, "Their beliefs "are contrary to" mine" suggests a fundamental disagreement, whereas "Their methods "are different from" mine" simply means they use different approaches.

What are some alternatives to "is contrary to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is opposed to", "is in opposition to", or "is inconsistent with". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance of your intended meaning.

Is "is contrary to" formal or informal?

"Is contrary to" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. While it conveys a clear sense of opposition, it is not overly aggressive or colloquial, making it appropriate for diverse writing situations.