running contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running contrary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is in opposition or disagreement with something else. Example: "His actions are running contrary to the values we uphold as a company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

His advocacy of African tradition extended to religion, running contrary to his father's Christianity, though it's tempting to see Fela's "Shrine" as a version of his father's pulpit.

The Guardian - Music

Running contrary to the notion of full-blown maturity, however, is the fact that her father, Stefano, has come with her every step of the way.

The New York Times - Sports

Pope Benedict XVI has sparked fury among secular and gay rights campaigners after he attacked equality legislation in Britain for running contrary to "natural law" and restricting the freedom of religious communities.

Independent

The sheep mentality that applies to much of the rest of the country, where anyone with a strongly held opinion running contrary to the party line is told to shut up and get in line, has no place here.

The Guardian

Presented with weaker arguments running contrary to their own, Americans were likely to solidify their opinions, Dr. Nisbett said, "clobbering the weaker arguments," and resolving the threatened contradiction in their own minds.

The New York Times - Science

Hume goes on to say that whatever we feel in us running contrary to an impulse to act that we mistake for reason must be something else, such as a calm passion (e.g., a general appetite for the good, benevolence, or aversion to evil) (T 417 18).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This would run contrary to regulators' wishes.

The New York Times

This absolutely runs contrary to that purpose".

The New York Times

This runs contrary to basic notions of democracy.

Independent

The message runs contrary to everything romcoms tell us.

The Guardian - Film

The device runs contrary to experience, wouldn't you say?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in tone and style when using "running contrary to". This phrase works well in formal and neutral contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "disagreeing with" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "running contrary to" when a stronger term like "contradicts" or "invalidates" is more appropriate. "Running contrary to" implies opposition or divergence, not necessarily complete negation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running contrary to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates a state of opposition or divergence from a particular idea, plan, or expectation. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "running contrary to" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate opposition or divergence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers various examples across diverse sources such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. While not the most frequent phrase, it holds a valuable place in formal and neutral registers, providing a nuanced way to express disagreement or contrast. Consider alternatives like "conflicting with" or "opposing" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counter to

Similar to "running contrary to", but slightly more formal.

conflicting with

Implies a direct clash or incompatibility.

opposing

Suggests active resistance or contradiction.

in opposition to

Emphasizes a deliberate stance against something.

clashing with

Indicates a direct and forceful disagreement.

at odds with

Indicates a state of disagreement or conflict.

at variance with

Similar to "at odds with", but slightly more formal.

deviating from

Highlights a departure from a standard or norm.

in defiance of

Suggests a rebellious or disobedient attitude.

contravening

A more formal term for violating or going against.

FAQs

How can I use "running contrary to" in a sentence?

Use "running contrary to" to indicate that something opposes or diverges from something else. For example, "The new evidence is running contrary to the initial hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "running contrary to"?

You can use alternatives like "conflicting with", "opposing", or "at odds with" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "running contrary to" or "runs contrary to"?

The choice depends on the subject of the sentence. Use "running contrary to" with continuous tenses (e.g., "The plan is running contrary to expectations"). Use "runs contrary to" with simple present tense and a singular subject (e.g., "The evidence runs contrary to the theory").

What's the difference between "running contrary to" and "in contrast to"?

"Running contrary to" implies opposition or disagreement, while "in contrast to" simply highlights differences without necessarily implying conflict.