it is contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is contrary to" is a valid sentence construction in English and is used to describe something that goes against something else.
For example: "It is contrary to the principles of our company to allow employees to receive bonuses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Getting angry gets results—it is contrary to what we want to believe when we have the luxury of time to make decisions.

Forbes

What's more, it is contrary to its "spiritual" mission.

HuffPost

We are unable to prevent Magana Ortiz's removal, yet it is contrary to the values of this nation and its legal system.

Harvard University

It is contrary to our interests".

The New York Times

It is contrary to the very nature of the disease.

Nature

It is contrary to every fiber of my being.

The Washington Post

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

And, he said, "it is contrary to the public health".

The New York Times - Health

To interrupt it is contrary to everything in history".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is contrary to tradition to come through the back door".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is contrary to", clearly specify what principle, value, or standard is being violated to provide context and strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "it is contrary to" without specifying what it contradicts. Vague statements weaken your argument. Instead of saying "It is contrary to our beliefs", specify whose beliefs and which ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is contrary to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It asserts that something opposes or violates a certain standard, principle, or belief. The phrase serves to express disagreement, conflict, or inconsistency, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is contrary to" is a versatile phrase used to express opposition or inconsistency with established norms, principles, or beliefs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure you specify the standard being violated for clarity. While alternatives like "it is opposed to" or "it contradicts" exist, "it is contrary to" maintains a formal tone suitable for professional and academic discourse. The high source quality and expert rating suggest that using this phrase correctly enhances the credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is incompatible with

Stresses the inability of two things to coexist harmoniously.

it is inconsistent with

Highlights the lack of logical coherence or compatibility.

it is in opposition to

Replaces the single word 'contrary' with a prepositional phrase expressing the same concept.

it is at odds with

Indicates a state of disagreement or conflict.

it goes against

Substitutes "is contrary to" with a more informal and direct expression of conflict.

it contradicts

Uses a verb that emphasizes the conflicting nature of the subject.

it runs counter to

Employs the verb 'runs' to suggest a dynamic opposition to something else.

it opposes

Replaces "is contrary to" with a verb indicating direct opposition.

it clashes with

Emphasizes a strong disagreement or incompatibility.

it defies

Conveys a sense of resistance or rebellion against a rule or norm.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is contrary to" to express disagreement or opposition to something. For example, "It is contrary to company policy to accept gifts from clients."

What's the difference between "it is contrary to" and "it is opposed to"?

While both phrases express opposition, "it is contrary to" often implies a violation of a principle or standard, while "it is opposed to" simply means that something is against something else.

What are some alternatives to "it is contrary to"?

Alternatives include "it is inconsistent with", "it goes against", or "it contradicts", depending on the specific context.

Is "it is contrary to" a formal or informal expression?

"It is contrary to" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression suitable for both professional and academic writing.