suggesting the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggesting the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something implies or points to an opposite conclusion or idea. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is suggesting the contrary to what was previously believed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As for the mounting archaeological evidence suggesting the contrary, Rabbi Grossman said: "There's no evidence that it didn't happen.

The New York Times - Books

The Zacks, though, rattle off anecdotal accounts and some academic work suggesting the contrary, and maintain that science is on their side.

The New York Times

For every scientific paper cited by those who say intensive farming is wrong, those who support it can produce one suggesting the contrary.

The Guardian

Indeed, there is much anecdotal evidence suggesting the contrary, i.e. that UML is overly complex, inconsistent, incomplete and difficult to learn.

Information and Software Technology

Monsanto has continued to assert that Roundup, which is registered in 130 countries and approved for use on more than 100 crops, is safe and not linked to cancer, despite studies suggesting the contrary.

The Guardian - Business

Or do we rather see a broad trend towards increasing inclusiveness in which, as hypothesized by several scholars, human rights considerations and international law have compelled liberal-democratic states to expand possibilities for family and humanitarian migration (Bonjour 2011; Freeman 1995), in spite of restrictive migration discourses used by politicians suggesting the contrary?

Comparative Migration Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But recent news suggest the contrary.

The Guardian

Recent events around the world suggest the contrary.

The Guardian

But events of the period suggest the contrary.

The New York Times

The Wall Street Journal experiment suggests the contrary.

The New York Times

(This despite a laughable effort to suggest the contrary, by Fox News contributor Steve Emerson).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggesting the contrary", ensure the context clearly establishes what the initial idea or expectation is, so the contrast is evident. For example, "Despite initial reports of success, the recent data is "suggesting the contrary", indicating a need for further investigation."

Common error

Avoid overstating the implication. "Suggesting the contrary" indicates a hint or possibility, not a definitive proof. Use stronger phrases like "proving the contrary" or "demonstrating the contrary" when the evidence is conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggesting the contrary" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a contradiction or opposition to a previous statement or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's acceptability in standard English, where it serves to introduce doubt or alternative interpretations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suggesting the contrary" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that something implies an opposite idea or conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, especially in science, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the idea to which it contrasts. Consider alternative phrases like "indicating otherwise" for variety. While useful, remember that "suggesting the contrary" only hints at a possibility, not a certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicating otherwise

This phrase directly points to a different direction or conclusion.

implying the opposite

Focuses on the act of implying a contradictory idea.

pointing to the reverse

This phrase uses a more directional metaphor, highlighting the opposition.

suggesting the opposite is true

This alternative makes explicit that the suggestion is about the truth value of the opposite.

hinting at a different conclusion

Focuses on the subtle nature of the suggestion and the alternative conclusion.

intimating the reverse

Uses a more formal word, "intimating", to suggest the contrary.

lending credence to the alternative

This phrase highlights the support given to the opposing view.

implying a different scenario

Shifts the focus to the implication of a different situation.

giving reason to believe otherwise

Highlights the provision of a reason to doubt the initial assertion.

indicating a conflicting viewpoint

Emphasizes the presence of a viewpoint that clashes with the original.

FAQs

How can I use "suggesting the contrary" in a sentence?

You can use "suggesting the contrary" to indicate that something implies or hints at an opposite conclusion or idea. For example: "The initial findings suggested a positive outcome, but subsequent research is "suggesting the contrary".

What is an alternative to "suggesting the contrary"?

Alternatives include "indicating otherwise", "implying the opposite", or "pointing to the reverse". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "suggesting the contrary" or "suggesting otherwise"?

"Suggesting the contrary" specifically emphasizes that the suggestion is of an opposite idea or conclusion, while "suggesting otherwise" is a more general term that simply indicates a different possibility. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the opposition.

What's the difference between "suggesting the contrary" and "proving the contrary"?

"Suggesting the contrary" implies a hint or indication of the opposite being true, whereas "proving the contrary" means definitively demonstrating that the opposite is true. "Suggesting" indicates possibility; "proving" indicates certainty.