left to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left to the contrary" is not commonly used in written English and may be confusing.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is not to be interpreted differently unless stated otherwise. Example: "The terms of the agreement shall remain in effect unless left to the contrary by either party."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ideologically, Democrats have not moved to the left; to the contrary, today's Democrats are significantly to the economic and social-welfare right of the antitrust Democrats of the eighteen-nineties, the New Deal Democrats of the nineteen-thirties, and the Great Society Democrats of the nineteen-sixties.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the mayor seems convinced at heart that Wall Street, the world from which he sprang, works best when left to itself, recent evidence to the contrary notwithstanding.

The New York Times

On the contrary, unused capacity is left to be used by other countries than Germany during summer months, especially in the wind-scenario and when PHS-plants are used as peak load units.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Hiring more nurses, teachers and police for a year -- which appears to be yet again a big plank on the upcoming stimulus plan, as it was in the last plan -- does not leave behind lasting results; to the contrary it leaves havoc.

Huffington Post

The general expectation was that Verizon one day would exercise that option, which is why this week's announcement to the contrary left the spinoff gasping for life.

Forbes

"To the contrary, leaving the American people vulnerable to Beijing's nuclear blackmail is a threat to U.S. national security".

The New York Times

But even leaving aside Rohde's correspondence to the contrary, if this had happened, why wouldn't he have simply told that to the KGB?

Forbes

To the contrary, leaving a girl and a woman complete is something to be proud of.

Unicef

Distressed by evidence to the contrary, he left off courting transcendence and started to force it.

The New Yorker

Jeff Probst Re-enlintSurvivorrvivor' Despite speculation to the contrary, Jeff Probst, left, isn't going anywhere, except to more of the wilderness outposts where "Survivor" flourishes.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, and despite promises to the contrary, the Leave campaign has become a campaign to control Britain's borders, and little else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left to the contrary", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being contradicted. Clarity is paramount in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the implied contradiction. Explicitly state what is being contradicted to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to the contrary" functions as a qualifier or condition, often appearing in legal or formal contexts. It sets a default action or interpretation that applies unless explicitly superseded by contradictory information or instructions. As Ludwig suggests, it's not the most common phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left to the contrary" is a relatively uncommon construction used to introduce a condition where a default action or interpretation holds unless there is evidence or instructions indicating otherwise. It appears primarily in formal and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase, while grammatically acceptable, is not frequently used, and writers should be mindful of clarity when employing it. Consider alternatives like "unless otherwise stated" for improved accessibility. Though the phrase is not grammatically incorrect, alternatives may prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to expectations

Focuses on the divergence from what was anticipated.

despite indications to the contrary

Highlights the presence of misleading signs.

notwithstanding evidence to the contrary

Emphasizes the existence of conflicting evidence.

contrary to popular belief

Specifically targets widely held but incorrect notions.

against all expectations

Similar to "contrary to expectations" but suggests even greater surprise.

in contradiction to

Highlights a direct conflict or opposition.

at odds with

Indicates a lack of agreement or harmony.

conversely

Introduces a statement that reverses the previous one.

on the flip side

Offers an alternative perspective or outcome.

in contrast

Presents a clear difference between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "left to the contrary" in a sentence?

Use "left to the contrary" to indicate that a situation should be handled in a specific way unless there's a conflicting instruction or evidence. For instance, "The agreement remains valid unless "unless left to the contrary" by both parties".

What does "left to the contrary" mean?

"Left to the contrary" indicates that something should be done in a particular manner unless there are explicit instructions or evidence suggesting otherwise.

What are some alternatives to "left to the contrary"?

Alternatives include "unless otherwise stated", "unless indicated differently", or "notwithstanding evidence to the contrary".

Is "left to the contrary" a common phrase in English?

No, "left to the contrary" is not a commonly used phrase. More frequent alternatives like "unless otherwise specified" or "unless there is evidence to the contrary" are generally preferred for clarity.