suggests the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggests the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something implies or indicates the opposite of what has been stated or assumed. Example: "The evidence presented in the report suggests the contrary, challenging the initial conclusions drawn by the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The Wall Street Journal experiment suggests the contrary.

The New York Times

There is no indication that the shift resulted from a sudden realization that public voting infringed voters' freedom of speech, and the manner in which it occurred suggests the contrary.

Cornell University

Yet all the evidence suggests the contrary; it was the television commentators as well as those on the ground who resorted to a phrase book culled from cinema: "It was like a movie".

The New Yorker

Although the Government suggests the contrary, Brief for United States 11, n. 6, we agree with Loving, on the assumption that Furman applies to this case, that aggravating factors are necessary to the constitutional validity of the military capital punishment scheme as now enacted.

Cornell University

But a new study from the University of Oxford suggests the contrary.

BBC

Despite the overwhelming data suggesting that cranial parasympathetic activation may be important in the modulation of trigeminovascular mechanisms related to headache, one study suggests the contrary.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 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

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

The New Yorker

The fact that a singular noun ("a performance") follows the words "to transmit" does not suggest the contrary.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggests the contrary", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the initial expectation or statement is. This will make the contrasting suggestion more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "suggests the contrary" when the evidence provides a definitive contradiction. "Suggests" implies a hint or indication, not a proven fact. Use stronger verbs like "proves" or "demonstrates" for conclusive evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggests the contrary" functions as a verb phrase that introduces an opposing viewpoint or evidence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it implies that there is information hinting at the opposite of what was initially believed or stated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suggests the contrary" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a contrasting perspective or evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions to hint at an opposing viewpoint, inviting consideration of other possibilities. While suitable for formal contexts, ensuring clarity of the initial statement is crucial for maximum impact. Alternatives include "indicates otherwise" or "implies the opposite". The phrase appears commonly in Science and News & Media contexts, highlighting its versatility in both objective and subjective writing. Always ensure that the strength of "suggests" aligns with the certainty of your evidence, avoiding its use when a definitive contradiction is present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggests the opposite

Simplifies the phrase by using "opposite" instead of "contrary", maintaining the core meaning.

suggests the inverse

Replaces "contrary" with "inverse", emphasizing a direct reversal of the expected outcome or statement.

indicates the contrary

Replaces "suggests" with "indicates", providing a more direct and less nuanced expression of opposition.

suggests the converse

Similar to "inverse", "converse" implies a reversed relationship or proposition.

implies the opposite

Replaces suggests with implies.

points to the opposite

Uses "points to" in place of suggests and replaces "the contrary" with "the opposite".

argues the contrary

Shifts from suggestion to a more assertive stance of arguing for the opposite perspective.

suggests the antithesis

Uses "antithesis" to highlight a stark contrast or direct opposition.

contradicts the previous statement

Replaces suggests the contrary with a direct contradiction.

belies the former assertion

Replaces the expression with a more literary and forceful phrasing

FAQs

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

Use "suggests the contrary" to introduce an idea or evidence that hints at the opposite of what has been previously stated or believed. For example, "While initial reports indicated a decline in sales, the latest data "suggests the contrary"."

What's a more direct alternative to "suggests the contrary"?

If you want to be more direct, consider using phrases like "indicates otherwise", "demonstrates the opposite", or "contradicts this".

Is "suggests the contrary" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "suggests the contrary" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the tone aligns with the piece. In highly formal or academic contexts, stronger verbs like "indicates" or "demonstrates" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "suggests the contrary" and "proves the opposite"?

"Suggests the contrary" implies that there is some evidence that points to an opposite conclusion, but it's not definitive. "Proves the opposite", on the other hand, means there is conclusive evidence that definitively establishes the opposite is true.