it runs contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it runs contrary to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two ideas, actions, or opinions that are the opposite of each other. For example: His life choices have been so reckless that it runs contrary to his parents' teachings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's insane and it runs contrary to what Google claims its policies and beliefs really are.

Huffington Post

If it runs contrary to the teachings of Allah, we reject it.

The Guardian

"We regret that perception because it runs contrary to the values of our club," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

They say that it runs contrary to the requirements that there should be equality between parties in trials and that trials should be of a reasonable duration.

The Economist

But nonetheless, the stop-loss policy is wrong; it runs contrary to the concept of the volunteer military set up in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

The New York Times

And, though it runs contrary to the professionalism that he claims brought him to Bolton, he has become the main event.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The brainchild of creator Gene Roddenberry , it ran contrary to the dominant ethos of its time of a world filled with the pollution and destruction of humans, overrun with selfish, unethical behavior, war, strife and conflict.

Forbes

It ran contrary to all reasonable interpretations of Descartes's writings.

The Economist

What I saw that sort of surprised me, because it ran contrary to the conventional wisdom, was a rise in skepticism in the 20th century.

Harvard University

The discovery that individual signal molecules might be important surprised Wieschaus, as it ran contrary to long-established conventional wisdom among biologists.

Princeton University

France's position has been rejected as untenable by the Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, who said on Monday that it ran contrary to a European agreement that the ongoing migrant crisis was a shared burden.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it runs contrary to" when you want to emphasize a direct conflict or opposition between two things, ideas, or principles. For instance, "The new policy runs contrary to the company's stated values."

Common error

Avoid using "it runs contrary to" in very informal contexts. While grammatically sound, it has a formal tone that might sound out of place in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "it goes against" or "it's the opposite of" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it runs contrary to" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing how something acts in opposition to something else. It indicates a contradiction or conflict, as shown in Ludwig examples where policies or actions clash with established norms or beliefs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

18%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it runs contrary to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate opposition or contradiction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. The phrase appears most often in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, suggesting a moderately formal register. When writing, remember that while "it runs contrary to" effectively highlights conflict or disagreement, it might be too formal for casual conversation. Instead, consider phrases like "it goes against" or "it opposes" for more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it contradicts

Directly states opposition, lacking the nuance of 'running contrary'.

it is in opposition to

More formal and emphasizes a state of being against something.

it is at odds with

Suggests a state of conflict or disagreement.

it clashes with

Implies a jarring or disharmonious conflict.

it is inconsistent with

Highlights a lack of uniformity or logical coherence.

it flies in the face of

More emphatic and suggests a bold contradiction.

it deviates from

Indicates a departure from an established course or standard.

it is the antithesis of

Presents a direct opposite or extreme contrast.

it bucks the trend of

Implies resistance to a prevailing pattern or fashion.

it negates

States a cancellation or nullification of something.

FAQs

What does "it runs contrary to" mean?

The phrase "it runs contrary to" means that something opposes, contradicts, or goes against something else. It suggests a direct conflict or inconsistency.

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

You can use "it runs contrary to" to show disagreement or opposition. For example, "His actions "it contradicts" his words", or "The proposal "it is at odds with" our established policies."

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

Some alternatives include ""it contradicts"", ""it is at odds with"", or "it goes against", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it runs contrary to" formal or informal?

"It runs contrary to" is generally considered a somewhat formal phrase. In more casual contexts, phrases like "it goes against" or "it clashes with" might be more appropriate.