proving the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proving the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to indicate that evidence or a disagreement has been presented that proves something else. For example: "Despite his claims, evidence was presented proving the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At trial, if petitioner makes a prima facie showing that he has in fact been prejudiced by the State's delay, I would then shift to the State the burden of proving the contrary.

Cornell University

While many voices have ignorantly dismissed Islam – and indeed all religion – as an embodiment of ignorance, my two students are proving the contrary, as are Muslim intellectuals throughout the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opposition parties said they had emails proving the contrary.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Every time I thought I now knew Jack, something would prove the contrary.

The New York Times - Arts

Carlos Saura's flamenco trilogy—"Blood Wedding" (1981), "Carmen" (1983), and "Love the Magician" (1986)—proves the contrary.

The New Yorker

They thought themselves eternal; but a bomb manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was to prove the contrary in 1943".

The New York Times - Books

Carlos Saura's flamenco trilogy — "Blood Wedding" (1981), "Carmen" (1983), and "Love the Magician" (1986) — proves the contrary.

The New Yorker

"The permanent difficulty with this argument is that you can never prove the contrary," said Mark Heller, a senior researcher at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University.

The New York Times

But he warned people not to lash out so harshly, quoting the French writer George Bernanos: "The intellectual is so often an imbecile that we should always take him for one until he proves the contrary".

The Guardian

To prove the contrary I could present the long list of black leaders in the New Nation who have objected to these remarks, but I really don't need to.

The Guardian - Opinion

When documents proved the contrary, he played down any involvement in the massacre and told The Associated Press that the Zvonimir medal was handed out "like chocolates" to all German officers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proving the contrary", ensure that you have solid evidence to support your opposing claim. Avoid making assumptions or presenting weak arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "proving the contrary" when you only have suggestive evidence. Use weaker phrases like "suggesting the contrary" or "indicating the opposite" if your evidence is not conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proving the contrary" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun. It describes the act of demonstrating that something is not as it was previously stated or believed. Ludwig examples highlight its usage in academic, news, and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proving the contrary" is a gerund phrase used to express the act of demonstrating that something is not true or valid. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct, although relatively rare in occurrence. It's most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you have strong evidence to support your claims. Simpler alternatives include phrases like "proving otherwise" or "demonstrating the opposite". Be cautious about overstating your evidence; if it's weak, use a more tentative expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proving otherwise

A shorter, more direct way of saying proving that the initial statement is not true.

demonstrating the opposite

Highlights the act of showing the reverse of what was stated or believed.

establishing the reverse

Focuses on firmly setting the opposite as the truth.

refuting the claim

Specifically targets a statement or assertion, aiming to prove it wrong.

showing the falsity

Focuses on the act of revealing something as untrue.

disproving the assumption

Focuses on negating an initial belief rather than generally showing something is false.

verifying the alternative

Focuses on establishing the truth of a different option or possibility.

invalidating the argument

Emphasizes making an argument unsound or without merit.

confirming the negation

Emphasizes verifying the absence or opposite of something.

substantiating the antithesis

More formal and emphasizes providing evidence for a direct opposite.

FAQs

How can I use "proving the contrary" in a sentence?

You can use "proving the contrary" to indicate that evidence is presented that disproves a previous statement or belief. For example, "Despite initial assumptions, new data emerged "proving the contrary"."

What's a simpler way to say "proving the contrary"?

A simpler way to express "proving the contrary" is to use phrases like "proving otherwise" or "demonstrating the opposite."

What does it mean to bear the "burden of proving the contrary"?

To bear the "burden of proving the contrary" means that one is responsible for providing evidence to disprove a claim that has already been made. This is common in legal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "proving the contrary" in formal writing?

The phrase "proving the contrary" is suitable for formal writing when you need to clearly state that an opposing viewpoint is being supported by evidence. Ensure that your evidence is robust and credible.