paradox

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'paradox' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that seems contradictory, yet can be true at the same time. Example sentence: The paradox of living a long life is that, while you may have more time to enjoy life, you can also experience more physical and mental decline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having spent decades trying to detect the use of performance-enhancing drugs, officials may soon be confronted with the paradoxical problem of detecting their non-use.The reason for this paradox is the placebo effect: believing a treatment to be effective is sometimes enough to make it so.

The Economist

It would be a further disturbing paradox if, having achieved this, she then takes France further to the right than it has ever been in the past 70 years.

The Guardian

But the language of paradox, oxymoron and subtle contradiction – the language of children – does better.

The Guardian - Books

"The paradox is that at a time when one in seven people around the world are migrants, we are seeing an extraordinarily harsh response to migration in the developed world," said IOM director general Swing.

The Guardian

The authors start with ghosts, firstly explaining that the "cold chills" often experienced in haunted houses are actually just a result of poor insulation (no EU building regs in the olden days), and secondly noting the rather amusing paradox that ghosts are often portrayed as walking, despite having no physical body.

The Guardian

For the paradox of the political novel is that its contribution to debate comes from eschewing conventional methods.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Who embody that classic British pop cult paradox: foppish violence.

The Guardian

They point to the Farage paradox: that as Ukip's poll rating has risen in recent years, support for a British exit from the EU has diminished.

The Guardian - Opinion

The paradox is that mathematical physics has imagined it, and confirmed the accuracy of that imagination to within the first second of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jack Conte, one-half of the indie duo Pomplamoose, is confronting this paradox the hard way in the wake of his recent post on Medium in which he lays bare the nuts, bolts, nets and grosses of his group's 24-show American tour.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a great unspoken paradox about the current politico-fiscal crisis gripping the Republic of Ireland.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paradox" when you want to highlight a seemingly self-contradictory situation that may reveal a deeper truth or insight.

Common error

Avoid using "paradox" simply to describe something that is surprising or unexpected. A true paradox involves a genuine contradiction, not just a counterintuitive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "paradox" is as a noun. It can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to a contradictory statement or situation. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various grammatical roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "paradox" is a versatile noun used to describe seemingly contradictory situations or statements that may, upon closer inspection, reveal a deeper truth. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness is not disputed, and its usage spans diverse contexts, primarily within news, science, and formal business settings. The prevalence of "paradox" in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its importance in critical discourse. When using "paradox", remember to ensure that a genuine contradiction is present, and avoid using it for merely surprising or unexpected outcomes. Alternatives like "contradiction", "inconsistency", and "dilemma" can be used depending on the intended nuance. The understanding of the "paradox" implications can be a cornerstone of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contradictory statement

Focuses specifically on the conflicting nature of the assertion, rather than the broader implications.

Apparent contradiction

Highlights that the contradiction might not be real upon closer examination.

Conceptual puzzle

Emphasizes the puzzling nature of the situation or idea.

Self-defeating logic

Implies that the reasoning itself leads to a contradictory or impossible outcome.

Ironic situation

Highlights the ironic and often humorous aspects of the contradictory nature.

Inherent tension

Emphasizes the underlying conflict between opposing forces or ideas.

Seeming inconsistency

Similar to "apparent contradiction", suggesting the inconsistency might be superficial.

Unresolvable conflict

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of reconciling the opposing elements.

Contradiction in terms

Points out a direct clash between the meanings of the words used.

Logical impasse

Suggests a situation where reasoning reaches a standstill due to conflicting premises.

FAQs

How to use "paradox" in a sentence?

You can use "paradox" to describe a situation that seems contradictory, yet might be true. For instance, "The "paradox of choice" is that having more options can make people less satisfied".

What can I say instead of "paradox"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "contradiction", "inconsistency", or "dilemma".

What's the difference between "paradox" and "irony"?

"Paradox" involves a self-contradictory statement that may be true, while "irony" is a figure of speech where words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words.

Is it correct to say "a paradox" or simply "paradox"?

Both are correct, depending on the context. "Paradox" can be used as a general noun, while "a paradox" refers to a specific instance of a paradoxical situation.