that is contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is contrary to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something opposes or contradicts another statement, belief, or principle. Example: "His actions are that is contrary to the values we uphold in this organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Florida courts, however, will not defer to an agency's opinion that is contrary to law.

The New York Times

"The government has no right … to make you obey something that is contrary to your conscience".

The New York Times

He writes: We all call barbarous anything that is contrary to our own habits.

The New York Times

"We object to any action that is contrary to the goal of the six-party talks," Mr. Liu said Tuesday.

The New York Times

Are we supposed to punish Catholic individuals because they believe in one thing that is contrary to the church?

The New York Times

This imposes on all farmers a single kind of agriculture that is contrary to the natural biodiversity.

The New York Times - Magazine

Journalists love "man bites dog" stories, and you know anything that is contrary to conventional wisdom gets a headline.

The Washington Post

Having an opinion that is contrary to their vision has done nothing to make them like me.

The Washington Post

What does matter is that Trump is normalizing a hateful political philosophy that is contrary to our deepest-held beliefs.

The Washington Post

Ethical relativism, then, is a radical doctrine that is contrary to what many thoughtful people commonly assume.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Guns do communicate, after all, but in a way that is contrary to free speech aspirations: for, guns chasten speech.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is contrary to" to clearly indicate disagreement or opposition between two ideas, actions, or statements. Ensure the context is clear and the opposing elements are well-defined.

Common error

Avoid using prepositions like 'with' or 'against' after "that is contrary to". The phrase already implies opposition, so adding another preposition is redundant. For example, instead of saying "that is contrary to against", simply state "that is contrary to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is contrary to" functions as a linking phrase to indicate disagreement, opposition, or contradiction. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed to highlight inconsistencies between different entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that is contrary to" is a versatile phrase used to express opposition or contradiction, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its usage is widespread across news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Common alternatives include "that opposes" and "that contradicts". When using the phrase, avoid redundant prepositions and ensure the context clearly defines the opposing elements. With a high frequency and consistent application, "that is contrary to" remains a reliable choice for conveying disagreement or contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that opposes

Focuses directly on the act of opposing something.

that contradicts

Highlights the inconsistency or logical conflict with something else.

that conflicts with

Emphasizes a clash or incompatibility between two things.

that is in opposition to

Adds formality and stresses a state of being against something.

that is at odds with

Implies a state of disagreement or friction.

that runs counter to

Suggests a direction or movement in opposition to something.

that deviates from

Indicates a departure or divergence from a standard or norm.

that is inconsistent with

Highlights a lack of uniformity or agreement.

that belies

Implies a contradiction between appearance and reality.

that negates

Emphasizes the act of nullifying or cancelling something out.

FAQs

How can I use "that is contrary to" in a sentence?

Use "that is contrary to" to show opposition or contradiction. For example, "His actions are "that is contrary to" the values we uphold."

What are some alternatives to "that is contrary to"?

You can use phrases like "that opposes", "that contradicts", or "that conflicts with" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "that is contrary to against"?

No, "that is contrary to against" is redundant. The phrase "that is contrary to" already implies opposition, so avoid adding extra prepositions. Just use "that is contrary to".

What's the difference between "that is contrary to" and "that opposes"?

While both express opposition, "that is contrary to" is a more general expression of contradiction. "That opposes" focuses more directly on the act of opposition itself. Both can often be used interchangeably.