runs contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "runs contrary to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to express that two things are opposed or diametrically opposed to each other. For example, you could say, "His decision runs contrary to the wishes of his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This absolutely runs contrary to that purpose".

The New York Times

This runs contrary to basic notions of democracy.

Independent

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

The New York Times - Books

The message runs contrary to everything romcoms tell us.

The Guardian - Film

This result runs contrary to common marketing practice.

The New York Times

That runs contrary to the supposed spirit of reform that seeks to empower and protect consumers.

The New York Times

The Greenberg approach runs contrary to the heritage poultry movement of the last decade.

The New York Times - Food

That's not the only bit of diet news that runs contrary to conventional wisdom.

Independent

It's a disheartening conclusion that runs contrary to the record of Success network schools.

The New York Times

"But when pressure turns into compulsion, the legislation runs contrary to our system of federalism".

The New York Times

That idea, though, runs contrary to the ethos of idealized American sports.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "runs contrary to" when you want to emphasize a direct opposition between two ideas, actions, or statements. It's effective for highlighting contradictions or deviations from expected norms.

Common error

Avoid using "runs contrary to" when the situation involves a simple difference or preference. This phrase implies a strong, fundamental opposition, not just a slight variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "runs contrary to" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate opposition or contradiction. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase used to highlight that something is the opposite or against something else, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "runs contrary to" is a versatile expression used to indicate opposition or contradiction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts. Its usage spans from formal academic discourse to neutral news reporting, with the primary purpose of highlighting conflict or disagreement. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves a genuine opposition, not just a slight difference. Alternatives like "is in opposition to" or "contradicts" can be used for variety. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, indicating its relevance in both objective reporting and scholarly analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is diametrically opposed to

Emphasizes that things are as different as possible.

is in opposition to

Emphasizes a direct adversarial relationship or conflict.

is at odds with

Highlights a state of disagreement or incompatibility.

is in conflict with

Similar to 'is at odds with', but may suggest a more active or ongoing disagreement.

clashes with

Suggests a strong and often abrupt disagreement or incompatibility.

contradicts

Directly states that something asserts the opposite of something else.

flies in the face of

Suggests a bold or defiant contradiction of something.

is inconsistent with

Highlights a lack of alignment or logical coherence.

is the antithesis of

Presents something as the direct opposite or contrary.

deviates from

Implies a departure from a standard, norm, or expected path.

FAQs

How to use "runs contrary to" in a sentence?

Use "runs contrary to" to indicate a direct opposition or contradiction. For example, "His actions "runs contrary to" his promises" shows his behavior contradicts what he said he would do.

What can I say instead of "runs contrary to"?

You can use alternatives like "is in opposition to", "is at odds with", or "contradicts" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "runs contrary to" or "is contrary to"?

"Runs contrary to" implies a more active or ongoing contradiction, while "is contrary to" simply states a state of opposition. Both are grammatically correct but have slightly different nuances.

What's the difference between "runs contrary to" and "deviates from"?

"Runs contrary to" suggests a fundamental opposition, whereas "deviates from" implies a departure from a norm or expected behavior without necessarily being in direct conflict.