may appear contradictory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may appear contradictory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation, statement, or idea that seems to conflict with another, often in a nuanced or complex context. Example: "The results of the study may appear contradictory to previous research, but they highlight the need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The presence of occult hepatosplanchnic hypoperfusion in the setting of a global hyperdynamic state and with parallel improvements or no change in peripheral perfusion, metabolic, and microcirculatory parameters may appear contradictory.

Annals of Intensive Care

This behavior may appear contradictory, but it is necessary to consider that the fluid composition of the gel is now changing with the PEO addition, and the relaxation mechanisms are affected not only by the crosslink concentration but also by the surrounding fluid viscosity.

Heritage Science

Our data, which show no effect of the auditory environment by tutors on mouse song, may appear contradictory to these findings.

Plosone

Thus, increasing the pool of bioavailable NO through GSNOR inhibition may appear contradictory.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

While these opposite effects may appear contradictory under a unitary WM concept, they are explained by our proposed dissociation.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

This may appear contradictory; how could greater intake be associated with both greater weight loss and greater weight gain?

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The enhancement of mathematics and language performance observed in this study using cathodal stimulation over the cerebellum may at first appear contradictory to these previous findings.

Brain Stimulation

The enrichment within GO cellular component terms may at first appear contradictory, since the results include disparate terms related to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and extracellular matrix, while the KEGG pathway findings more highlighted extracellular communication.

BMC Genomics

By placing the protein in the context of estrogen receptor positive or negative disease, some reported results which appear contradictory may be explained.

BMC Cancer

Although the observation that STAT3 activation is maintained despite the persistent PIAS3 up-regulation may at first glance appear contradictory, previous studies reported that STAT3 activation and high levels of inhibitory molecules co-exist up to several hours following stimulation [ 59].

BMC Genomics

Although the effects of human disturbance on reproduction and pup growth appear contradictory, the mechanisms may be related.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may appear contradictory" to introduce a statement that seems to conflict with previous information, setting the stage for an explanation or clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "may appear contradictory" simply to state an apparent conflict. Always follow up with an explanation of how the contradiction can be resolved or understood within a broader context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may appear contradictory" functions as a hedge, softening the assertion of a contradiction and introducing an element of doubt or appearance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples show it introducing situations that require further explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may appear contradictory" serves as a useful tool in written English for introducing statements that seem to conflict with one another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in scientific and academic writing. While it signals a potential disagreement, it also implies that a deeper understanding or explanation is available, helping to invite the reader to consider alternative perspectives. When using this phrase, it's important to not only highlight the apparent contradiction but also provide context to resolve or clarify it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might seem paradoxical

Changes "may" to "might" and "contradictory" to "paradoxical", suggesting something that seems self-opposed but may be true.

could seem inconsistent

Substitutes "may appear" with "could seem" and "contradictory" with "inconsistent", indicating a lack of alignment or agreement.

might appear paradoxical

Replaces "may" with "might", offering an alternative modal verb, and uses "paradoxical" instead of "contradictory".

might seem contradictory

Substitutes "may appear" with "might seem", offering an alternative modal verb and verb combination.

could appear conflicting

Changes "may" to "could" and "contradictory" to "conflicting", indicating opposing elements.

might seem at odds

Replaces the whole phrase with "might seem at odds", suggesting a state of disagreement or opposition.

may present an inconsistency

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the presence of an inconsistency.

could be interpreted as conflicting

Indicates that the subject could be interpreted in conflicting ways.

on the surface, it's paradoxical

Introduces the idea of a paradoxical appearance, adding emphasis to the initial perception.

seems at first glance to be contradictory

Adds a temporal element indicating that the contradictory nature is evident from the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "may appear contradictory" in a sentence?

Use "may appear contradictory" to introduce a statement or observation that seems to oppose or conflict with something previously stated or generally believed. For example, "The data "may appear contradictory" at first, but a closer look reveals a consistent pattern".

What's a good alternative to "may appear contradictory"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might seem paradoxical", "could seem inconsistent", or "might seem contradictory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to resolve the contradiction when using "may appear contradictory"?

While it's not always required, it's best practice to offer some form of explanation or context when using "may appear contradictory". This helps avoid confusing the reader and demonstrates a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

What's the difference between "may appear contradictory" and "is contradictory"?

"May appear contradictory" suggests a seeming conflict that might not be a true contradiction upon closer examination. "Is contradictory", on the other hand, asserts a definite and irreconcilable conflict.