substantial contradiction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial contradiction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant disagreement or inconsistency between two statements, ideas, or pieces of evidence. Example: "The witness's testimony presented a substantial contradiction to the evidence provided by the forensic team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

From the very beginning, there was a substantial contradiction between Zionism and Lydda.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the contradictions – some of them substantial – hardly matter, for the SNP possesses both momentum and the trust of a large chunk of the Scottish electorate.

The Guardian - Opinion

This apparent contradiction is mainly due to substantial changes in ventilatory practices during the past 15 years (the lung protective strategy) in the ICU.

Critical Care

FGDs were chosen to in order to gather the perspectives of a substantial number of local women, allowing for natural group dynamics to emphasise consensus and contradictions.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A substantial proportion of the physicians stated that giving chemotherapy and simultaneously speaking about the dying process was too much of a contradiction, and that such discussions would negatively affect the patient's wellbeing.

British Medical Journal

Another contradiction?

The New York Times

No contradiction.

The New York Times

Contradiction less.

The New Yorker

Contradiction prevailed.

The New York Times

Very substantial?

The New York Times

Relish the contradiction.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial contradiction", ensure that the conflicting elements are clearly defined and the significance of their opposition is evident to the reader. This phrase is best suited for formal writing where precision and clarity are paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial contradiction" to describe minor inconsistencies or trivial disagreements. This phrase implies a significant and consequential conflict, so reserve it for situations where the contradiction truly undermines a key argument or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial contradiction" primarily functions as a noun phrase used to identify a significant inconsistency or conflict. Ludwig AI provides examples of its use in contexts where opposing ideas or facts create a noteworthy discrepancy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial contradiction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a significant inconsistency, as validated by Ludwig. While relatively infrequent, its primary function is to highlight critical conflicts within formal contexts. Ludwig AI shows that it's most often found in News & Media and Science. For alternative phrasing, consider "significant inconsistency" or "major discrepancy". When employing this phrase, ensure the contradiction is indeed significant to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant inconsistency

Replaces "contradiction" with "inconsistency" emphasizing the lack of alignment rather than direct opposition. The "substantial" is replaced with "significant" showing the relative importance of the inconsistency

major discrepancy

Substitutes "contradiction" with "discrepancy", focusing on the difference or divergence between facts or claims. The "substantial" is replaced with "major" showing the relative importance of the discrepancy

considerable conflict

Replaces "contradiction" with "conflict", highlighting the clashing nature of the opposing elements and substituting "substantial" with "considerable" emphasizing the size or scale of the conflict.

marked divergence

Uses "divergence" instead of "contradiction", emphasizing the separation and difference in direction. "Marked" replaces "substantial" suggesting the divergence is easily noticeable and significant.

pronounced opposition

Focuses on the "opposition" between ideas or statements, indicating a clear and definite contrast. "Pronounced" replaces "substantial" emphasizing the opposition is easily noticeable.

serious incongruity

Substitutes "contradiction" with "incongruity", referring to something out of place or not in harmony and replacing "substantial" with "serious", denoting the severity of the incongruity

deep-seated tension

Emphasizes the underlying stress and strain caused by the conflicting elements, suggesting the contradiction is not superficial. "Deep-seated" highlights that the tension is fundamental and profound, replacing "substantial" by changing from volume to deepness.

fundamental incompatibility

Focuses on the inability of two things to coexist or be consistent, indicating a basic and essential conflict. The "substantial" is replaced with "fundamental" denoting the basic nature of the incompatibility.

stark contrast

Highlights the sharp and obvious difference between two things. "Stark" replaces "substantial" to emphasize the severity and clarity of the contrast.

glaring disparity

Replaces "contradiction" with "disparity" which speaks of lack of similarity or equality. "Glaring" is used instead of "substantial" to call more attention to the obvious nature of the disparity

FAQs

How can I use "substantial contradiction" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial contradiction" to point out a significant inconsistency between two statements or facts. For example, "The witness's testimony presented a "substantial contradiction" to the police report."

What are some alternatives to "substantial contradiction"?

Alternatives include "significant inconsistency", "major discrepancy", or "considerable conflict". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "substantial contradiction" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "substantial contradiction" is relatively infrequent. In some cases, a more common phrase like "significant inconsistency" may be more effective depending on the audience and context. Ensure the 'substantial' nature of the contradiction is clear to justify its use.

What distinguishes a "substantial contradiction" from a simple contradiction?

A "substantial contradiction" implies that the inconsistency is not only present but also significant in its impact or implications. It suggests that the contradiction undermines a key point or argument, whereas a simple contradiction might be more superficial or easily resolved.