opposing conclusions

USAGE SUMMARY

"opposing conclusions" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to refer to two different conclusions that are in contrast to each other. For example, "The evidence presented in the trial led to two opposing conclusions: that the defendant was guilty or not guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Last month, two federal judges came to opposing conclusions about these issues.

The New Yorker

But they ended up coming to opposing conclusions, which means the debate over monogamy continues.

The New York Times - Science

Two female polemicists have published books explaining why, although they have come to very different, arguably opposing, conclusions.

The Guardian - Books

That two such nimble and serious legal thinkers as Dershowitz and Posner can arrive at such opposing conclusions speaks to the distressingly subjective nature of the law.

The New York Times - Books

The blood-letting in Blacksburg is unlikely to shift the debate about guns, because the two sides draw opposing conclusions from it.

The Economist

Law is not always an exact science, as Lord Macdonald, a previous DPP, said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "These positions are not always binary, and highly respected lawyers have come to opposing conclusions on this.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

One team of court-appointed psychiatrists concluded he was psychotic while another came to the opposing conclusion.

Independent

"The jury system is predicated on the idea that different people can view the same evidence and reach diametrically opposed conclusions".

The New Yorker

The argument has been passionate for years, with scientists often reaching opposed conclusions from the same bone fragments: four years ago a group of scientists published a paper saying the cremated remains did not indicate infant sacrifice.

The Guardian

The long-range trend of the terms of trade between primary products and manufactures has been the subject of diametrically opposed conclusions: some theorists hold that the trend is favourable to the less-developed countries, others that it is unfavourable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Carol Schlesinger Livingston, N.J., Feb. 26, 2010 To the Editor: As I read Paul Krugman's and David Brooks's dueling Feb. 26 columns about the health care summit meeting, my faith in the ability of two people looking at the same set of facts and reaching diametrically opposed conclusions has been reinforced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or analysis, clearly state the basis for each of the "opposing conclusions" to ensure the reader understands the different lines of reasoning.

Common error

Avoid presenting "opposing conclusions" without providing sufficient context. It's crucial to explain why these conclusions exist and what factors contribute to the disagreement. Overgeneralizing can lead to misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the underlying issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opposing conclusions" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "opposing" modifies the noun "conclusions". It typically serves to identify situations where different lines of reasoning or sets of evidence lead to mutually exclusive or contradictory outcomes. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is both correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opposing conclusions" is a valid and frequently used phrase that describes conflicting or contradictory findings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. It's commonly found in news articles, scientific research, and formal reports, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it is important to provide sufficient context to explain the reasons behind the differing conclusions. Alternatives such as "conflicting findings" or "contradictory results" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Therefore, paying attention to the context is crucial for achieving clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting findings

Focuses on the results of research or investigation that are not in agreement.

contradictory results

Emphasizes the direct contradiction between different sets of outcomes.

divergent opinions

Highlights that different people hold distinct and disagreeing views.

contrasting viewpoints

Emphasizes different perspectives or angles of looking at the same subject.

differing interpretations

Highlights that the same information is understood in varied, incompatible ways.

incompatible outcomes

Stresses that the results cannot coexist or be reconciled.

disagreeing results

Highlights that the results are not in agreement.

opposed viewpoints

Focuses on differing perspectives that are directly against one another.

conflicting judgments

Emphasizes disagreement among evaluations or assessments.

alternative deductions

Highlights different inferences or conclusions made from same information.

FAQs

How can I use "opposing conclusions" in a sentence?

You can use "opposing conclusions" to describe situations where different analyses or viewpoints lead to conflicting results. For example, "The two studies on the effects of the drug reached "opposing conclusions" regarding its effectiveness".

What phrases are similar to "opposing conclusions"?

Alternatives to "opposing conclusions" include "conflicting findings", "contradictory results", or "divergent opinions" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "opposing conclusions"?

The phrase "opposing conclusions" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that different analyses or interpretations of the same data have resulted in incompatible outcomes. This is common in scientific research, legal proceedings, and debates.

What is the difference between "opposing conclusions" and "different conclusions"?

"Opposing conclusions" implies that the conclusions are not just different, but also in direct conflict with each other. "Different conclusions" is a broader term that simply indicates that the conclusions are not the same, without necessarily implying a contradiction.