it appears contradictory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears contradictory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation, statement, or argument that seems to conflict with itself or with established facts. Example: "In the debate, the speaker's claim that both sides are equally valid seems to be problematic, as it appears contradictory to the evidence presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The reason it appears contradictory is that there is a three step process for IFAs: Projects first have to be recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Project company has to enter labour agreement with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) which requires no labour market testing.

The Guardian

"While one man has tried to pull the club off the floor others in the board room have turned the club into a national laughing stock by undermining him… personality clashes are being prioritised over the best interests of the football club, it appears contradictory messages and statements add to the pantomime".

BBC

It appears contradictory that instead of limiting expression of pro-apoptotic protein, prostate cancer cells choose to increase BAD levels while keeping it under tight phosphorylation control.

Plosone

Such a membrane insertion capacity correlates well with the net positive charge of BAX-α5S, although it appears contradictory, at least for the binding with negatively charged CL-containing monolayers, with the negative charge of BAX-α6.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It also appears contradictory to our findings that indicators of disease severity like the Barthel index and the UPDRS II correlated positively with the incidence of falls.

BMJ Open

The pro-porn argument, which insists that pornography is changing but denies that it changes us, appears contradictory.

The New Yorker

Punjab is an agricultural province with warmer weather; it has higher average SES, which appears contradictory to the trend for migraine but in line with that for headache on ≥15 days/month.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

On the other hand, some embrace this as a mystery —something which appears contradictory but is in fact true.

SEP

Though this appears contradictory to the literature showing anxiety affects sleep quality (Fernandez-Mendoza et al. 2012a Singareddy et al. 2012 Fernandez-Mendoza et al. 2012b), several factors may account for this lack of association.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

The first mark of his success, which appears contradictory if judged by superficial standards alone, is that he's never directed a "cult film".

Vice

Then, in what appears contradictory to realism and naturalism, some authorities explain that the Christianizing of Jesus and others in artworks reflect the Renaissance revival of Greek idealism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears contradictory" to introduce an observation that seems inconsistent with known facts or previous statements, signaling to the reader that further explanation or analysis is needed.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "it appears contradictory" without providing a clear subject or actor. Consider rephrasing to emphasize who perceives the contradiction and why.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears contradictory" functions as an introductory expression used to highlight an apparent inconsistency or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and serves to preface a potentially problematic statement or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it appears contradictory" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to point out a perceived inconsistency or paradox. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it's appropriate in various formal contexts, including scientific and news reporting. When using this phrase, be mindful of passive voice and ensure you provide sufficient context for the reader to understand the apparent contradiction. Alternatives like "it seems paradoxical" or "it looks inconsistent" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems paradoxical

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "contradictory" with "paradoxical", emphasizing the self-contradictory nature.

it looks inconsistent

Uses "looks" instead of "appears" and "inconsistent" instead of "contradictory", suggesting a lack of uniformity.

it presents a conflict

Emphasizes the presence of a clash or opposition rather than just an apparent contradiction.

it suggests an anomaly

Highlights the deviation from the norm or expected pattern, framing it as an unusual occurrence.

it raises a contradiction

Focuses on the act of bringing a contradiction to attention rather than its mere appearance.

it is seemingly at odds

Indicates that something seems to be in disagreement or conflict, often with something else that has been stated or observed.

it gives the impression of incongruity

Highlights the perceived lack of harmony or compatibility.

it strikes one as conflicting

Emphasizes the subjective perception of conflict.

it belies a contradiction

Implies that there is a contradiction that is hidden or not immediately obvious.

it manifests as a discrepancy

Highlights the visible difference or divergence, emphasizing the way the contradiction is displayed.

FAQs

How can I use "it appears contradictory" in a sentence?

Use "it appears contradictory" to introduce an observation that seems inconsistent with previously stated information or established facts. For example, "The data suggests increased sales, but "it appears contradictory" to the company's reported losses."

What are some alternatives to "it appears contradictory"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it seems paradoxical", "it looks inconsistent", or "it presents a conflict". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it appears contradictory" formal or informal?

"It appears contradictory" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal alternatives exist, but this phrase maintains a level of sophistication.

What's the difference between "it appears contradictory" and "it is contradictory"?

"It appears contradictory" suggests a perceived contradiction that might not be definitively true, while "it is contradictory" asserts the contradiction as a confirmed fact. The former leaves room for further investigation or explanation.