ran counter to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran counter to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is in opposition to or contradicts another idea, belief, or action. Example: "His actions ran counter to the values of the organization, leading to a conflict with the leadership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Other comments ran counter to possible stereotypes.

The New York Times

The move ran counter to common wisdom.

The New York Times - Sports

The Roots always ran counter to this trend.

The New Yorker

In some cases, their findings ran counter to accepted wisdom.

The New York Times

Back then, this, too, ran counter to social norms.

The New Yorker

Some women, however, may have been mobilized in directions that ran counter to Friedan's intentions.

The New York Times - Books

This lockout ran counter to Bennet's hopes, but it seemed to fulfill the students' expectations.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Zarif suggested that type of protocol ran counter to Iranian law.

The New York Times

Paradoxically, this model ran counter to the conventional management wisdom of the day.

The New York Times

Selling the property or having a contracting crew rebuild it ran counter to Mr. Dixon's nature.

The New York Times

This belief, however, ran counter to some of the predictions of quantum mechanics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran counter to" when you want to emphasize a contrast or opposition between two ideas, actions, or beliefs. It adds a layer of nuance compared to simply saying something 'contradicted' something else.

Common error

Avoid using "ran counter to" interchangeably with phrases that imply simple disagreement or difference without the element of active opposition. For example, use 'differed from' instead of "ran counter to" when describing distinct but not necessarily opposing viewpoints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran counter to" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating that a subject's action, idea, or outcome is in opposition to or contradicts something else. Ludwig AI's examples show its use across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ran counter to" is a versatile expression used to indicate opposition or contradiction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When writing, use it to highlight contrasts effectively, and consider alternatives like "contradicted" or "opposed" to tailor your message. Ludwig AI examples showcase its widespread applicability across various subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradicted

Implies a direct opposition, often factual or logical.

opposed

Suggests resistance or disapproval.

diverged from

Indicates a departure or deviation from a set path or standard.

clashed with

Conveys a sense of conflict or incompatibility.

was at odds with

Highlights a state of disagreement or opposition.

was in opposition to

Emphasizes a direct antagonistic stance.

defied

Implies a bold resistance against authority or expectation.

went against

Suggests a violation of a rule, principle, or expectation.

belied

Implies that something concealed the truth about something else

differed from

Indicates a distinction or dissimilarity.

FAQs

How can I use "ran counter to" in a sentence?

Use "ran counter to" to indicate that something opposed or contradicted something else. For example, "His actions "ran counter to" the company's policy".

What's a simple way to rephrase "ran counter to"?

You can replace "ran counter to" with alternatives like "contradicted", "opposed", or "differed from", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "ran counter to"?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your writing. In more formal contexts, alternatives like "was at odds with" or "was in opposition to" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "ran counter to" and /s/differed+from?

"Ran counter to" implies active opposition or contradiction, while "differed from" simply indicates a difference or distinction without necessarily implying conflict.