seemingly contradictory

USAGE SUMMARY

"seemingly contradictory" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that appears to have opposite qualities that should not both be true. For example: "The professor presented a seemingly contradictory argument, asserting that both the economy and the environment could benefit from the proposed policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What lies behind these seemingly contradictory assessments?

Princeton University

Some comparisons are confusing or seemingly contradictory.

The Washington Post

All of this produces seemingly contradictory trends.

The New York Times

Seemingly contradictory trends appear, compounded by increasing unpredictability.

The New York Times - Arts

They gave two reasons for these seemingly contradictory actions.

The New York Times - Health

The crisis has played out in seemingly contradictory ways.

The New York Times

Analysts say Foxconn's strategy satisfies two seemingly contradictory goals.

The New York Times

How to explain his seemingly contradictory characteristics: decent, devious, loyal?

The Guardian - Books

The briefs are filled with seemingly contradictory rulings.

The Washington Post

Dunklee specializes in transforming the seemingly contradictory into productive balance.

The Washington Post

Among several seemingly contradictory grievances, police demand better weapons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemingly contradictory" to introduce elements that appear to oppose each other, but may be reconciled with further analysis. This helps to set up a deeper exploration of the topic.

Common error

Avoid dismissing a situation as definitively contradictory based solely on a "seemingly contradictory" presentation. Investigate further to determine if there's an underlying coherence or a resolution to the apparent conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemingly contradictory" functions as an adjective modifying a noun or noun phrase. It describes something that appears to have elements or aspects that are in opposition or conflict with each other. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this suggests a surface-level contradiction that may not hold true upon closer examination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seemingly contradictory" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe something that appears to contain opposing elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While it shows up across diverse sources like science, news, and academia, understanding its nuance is critical. Instead of simply pointing out a contradiction, use it to set up a further investigation to determine if the conflict is real or just apparent. Remember that the phrase is typically found in formal or neutral registers, urging writers to use it in scenarios that merit objective and precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly contradictory

Replaces "seemingly" with "ostensibly", emphasizing the appearance of contradiction may be misleading.

apparently contradictory

Uses "apparently" to convey that the contradiction is based on initial observation.

superficially contradictory

Emphasizes that the contradiction is only on the surface level and not a fundamental conflict.

arguably contradictory

Suggests the contradictory nature is open to debate or interpretation.

on the face of it, contradictory

Highlights that the contradiction is evident at first glance.

inconsistently presented

Focuses on the lack of consistency in how something is presented, leading to an apparent contradiction.

paradoxically opposed

Uses "paradoxically" to emphasize the surprising or counterintuitive nature of the opposition.

outwardly conflicting

Highlights the external appearance of conflict between elements.

facially opposing

Similar to 'on the face of it', indicating an initial impression of contradiction.

seemingly paradoxical

Replaces "contradictory" with "paradoxical", highlighting an apparent self-contradictory nature that may reveal a deeper truth.

FAQs

How can I use "seemingly contradictory" in a sentence?

You can use "seemingly contradictory" to describe situations or ideas that appear to oppose each other, such as "The politician's actions were "seemingly contradictory", as he supported both tax cuts and increased government spending."

What are some alternatives to "seemingly contradictory"?

Alternatives include "apparently contradictory", "ostensibly contradictory", or "superficially contradictory", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "seemingly contradictory"?

While "contradictory" inherently implies a form of opposition, using "seemingly" emphasizes that the contradiction might not be absolute or might be resolved upon closer inspection. It's not necessarily redundant, but adds a layer of qualification.

What's the difference between "seemingly contradictory" and "actually contradictory"?

"Seemingly contradictory" suggests an apparent conflict that may not be real, while "actually contradictory" indicates a genuine and irreconcilable opposition. The former invites further analysis, while the latter implies a definitive incompatibility.