maintain to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain to the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone asserts or insists on a position that opposes what has been previously stated or believed. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, she continues to maintain to the contrary that the project will succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Behaviorist accounts maintain, to the contrary, that pretending requires only the ability to 'behave as if' the content of the pretense were true (Harris 1994, 2000; Perner 1991; Nichols and Stich 2003).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the plan Mr. Turner briefly described was a warning flare of sorts for advocates of the poor who had long maintained -- despite assurances to the contrary by backers of welfare reform efforts -- that the federal benefit deadline of five years would cause hardship.

The New York Times

An executive producer at CBC claims that Brown's reporting on a Q staffer complaining to her bosses is not t​rue, but Brown maintains he has evidence to the contrary.

Vice

An executive producer at CBC claims that Brown's reporting on a Q staffer complaining t​o her bosses is not t​rue, but Brown maintains he has evidence to the contrary.

Vice

And Verona's coach behaved much like Marina, maintaining faith despite all evidence to the contrary.

The New Yorker

"The integrity of our process was maintained throughout, and any suggestion to the contrary is simply wrong," Mr. Tenet said.

The New York Times

The leading contemporary representative of the non-skeptical interpretation of this argument, Don Garrett (1997), maintains, on the contrary, that Hume, in these sections of the Treatise and the Enquiry, is only making the purely descriptive claim that "reasoning" cannot be the cause of our inductive inferences.

SEP

But the fact that President Obama, despite all of his promises to the contrary, has maintained nearly all of the Bush administration's detainee policies shows the perilous complexity of these issues — nearly 10 years later.

The New York Times

(Iran has maintained this position, despite numerous reports to the contrary).

The New Yorker

To the contrary, the president maintains an approval rating of 85% among African-Americans nationally.

The Economist

Despite compelling evidence to the contrary, the Department of Health maintains the NHS is in a "strong overall financial position".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain to the contrary", ensure that the context clearly establishes the initial claim or belief that is being opposed. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your contrasting statement.

Common error

While "maintain to the contrary" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly informal contexts where more casual expressions of disagreement would be more appropriate. For example, in casual conversation, phrases like "actually" or "that's not right" might be better choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain to the contrary" functions as a discourse marker, signaling disagreement or opposition to a previous statement. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates an assertion despite conflicting information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain to the contrary" is a phrase used to express disagreement or opposition to a previously stated claim. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, making it suitable for neutral or slightly formal communication. Alternatives include "assert the opposite" or "claim otherwise". When using this phrase, ensure the initial claim is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assert the opposite

Focuses on the act of stating a contradictory viewpoint.

claim otherwise

Emphasizes the act of making a claim that differs from what has been said.

argue the reverse

Highlights the act of presenting an argument that is the opposite of a previous one.

insist on the contrary

Stresses the insistence on a different viewpoint, despite opposing evidence.

profess the opposite

Implies a formal declaration of a contrary belief.

contend otherwise

Highlights the act of contending or asserting a different point.

hold a contrary view

Emphasizes the existence of a differing opinion or belief.

take the opposite stance

Focuses on adopting a position that is in opposition to another.

allege the contrary

Suggests an allegation or assertion of a conflicting fact.

affirm the reverse

Emphasizes a strong, positive statement of the opposite.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain to the contrary" to indicate that someone asserts something despite evidence or claims suggesting otherwise. For example: "Despite the evidence presented, she continues to maintain to the contrary that the project will succeed."

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

You can use alternatives such as "assert the opposite", "claim otherwise", or "insist on the contrary" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "maintain to the contrary"?

It's appropriate to use "maintain to the contrary" in situations where you want to emphasize that someone is holding onto a belief or assertion that is in opposition to what others believe or what evidence suggests. This phrase is suitable for formal or neutral contexts.

What is the difference between "maintain to the contrary" and "argue to the contrary"?

"Maintain to the contrary" suggests a continued assertion of a belief, while "argue to the contrary" suggests presenting a case or reasoning that opposes a particular viewpoint. The former is about insistence, the latter about providing counter-arguments.