on the contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the contrast" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a comparison between two different things or ideas. For example: "Solar energy is environmentally friendly and renewable; on the contrast, coal is not as friendly and is a finite resource."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I then asked Fareed what he thought of Prime Minister Han's diplomatic evasion of the question on the contrast between his crisis and the one now.

Huffington Post

His plays often turn on the contrast between affection and passion.

The Guardian

(b) Reconstruction of the spatial attention effect, based on the contrast 'Attention left – Attention right'.

Nature

On the contrast, the influence of the aspect ratio on orientation is obvious and sharp.

Powder Technology

On the contrast, the deep channel extracts the detailed texture information.

Neurocomputing

He remarked on the contrast with the chapels in the series.

The New York Times

Instead, he focused on the contrast between dysfunctional family lives and robust social lives.

The New York Times

An officer held by the British remarked in the spring of 1945 on the contrast between the two endings.

The Guardian - Books

The book depends on the contrast between the immensely learned, volcanically passionate Victorians and their timid, bureaucracy-minded descendants.

The New York Times

Iceberg areas were delineated using an automated algorithm based on the contrast between the icebergs and the surrounding seawater.

Nature

(a) Reconstruction of the BOLD response to the grating stimuli in V1, based on the contrast 'All trials – baseline'.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the contrast" to clearly signal that you are about to present an opposing or differing viewpoint to something previously stated. Ensure the contrast is evident and adds value to your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "on the contrast" when simply adding more information rather than presenting a true contrast. Ensure that the items being compared are genuinely different, not just additional details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the contrast" functions as a prepositional phrase used as a sentence adverbial. It serves to introduce a statement that presents a distinct difference or opposition to a previous statement. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "on the contrast" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression employed to introduce contrasting information or viewpoints. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedia contexts. While there may be instances of potential misuse, as highlighted in the writing guidance, understanding its primary function and register can ensure its accurate application. It's also worth noting that alternatives such as "by contrast" or "conversely" might provide more concise options in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the other hand

Changes the phrasing to a more common idiom for introducing a contrasting point.

by contrast

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the core meaning of indicating a difference.

in contrast

Similar to "by contrast" but uses a different preposition.

conversely

Replaces the prepositional phrase with an adverb that serves the same purpose.

on the contrary

Uses a different, yet synonymous, phrase to introduce an opposing idea.

in opposition

Shifts the focus to the opposing nature of the compared elements.

as opposed to

Emphasizes the difference by directly contrasting two elements.

unlike

Uses a single word to highlight the dissimilarities between two subjects.

whereas

Introduces a statement that contrasts with a previous statement.

differing from

Highlights the aspect of divergence or dissimilarity.

FAQs

How can I use "on the contrast" in a sentence?

Use "on the contrast" to introduce an idea or fact that differs significantly from what was previously mentioned. For example, "This method is complex; on the contrast, the alternative is quite simple."

What's the difference between "on the contrast" and "on the contrary"?

While both phrases indicate opposition, "on the contrast" is used to highlight a distinct difference between two things, whereas "on the contrary" is used to negate a previous statement.

Are there formal alternatives to "on the contrast"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "conversely", "in contrast", or "by contrast", which are suitable for academic or professional writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "on the contrast"?

Avoid using "on the contrast" if you're merely adding information that expands on a point rather than presenting a direct opposition or difference. In such cases, consider using phrases like 'furthermore' or 'in addition' instead.