the contrary trend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the contrary trend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a trend that opposes or contradicts another trend or prevailing direction. Example: "While sales have been increasing overall, there has been a contrary trend in the younger demographic, where interest has declined."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, the contrary trend was observed with the CH aromatic groups (3030 cm−1), which were measured by DRIFT spectroscopy.

Combustion and Flame

Pressure amplitudes at fRPF (Rotor passing frequency) and fSPF (Stator passing frequency) decreases when the flow rate increases, but pressure amplitudes at fR exhibit the contrary trend.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They fret about the contrary trends in business and consumer spending that have made a clear reading on the economy so elusive, the trade deficit, debt of all kinds, lackluster profits and possible oil shocks.

The New York Times

For the World Cups, it could be shown that the contrary trends for men and women were due to the changes in the number of contact injuries.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

This hypothesis cannot fully account for the PBL-led transformation of medical teaching in the 1990s, however, overlooking as it does a powerful contrary trend: the explosive proliferation of biomedical knowledge [ 15, 16] as epitomized by the completion of the Human Genome Project [ 17].

BMC Medical Education

The stability of supported ZnO catalysts for the reaction improves with increasing the Si/Al ratio of the HZSM-5 support, while the catalytic activity shows a contrary trend.

Catalysis Today

The success of this sweet-natured love story has been cited as evidence of a contrary trend towards the gentle and heartfelt.

The Guardian

A contrary trend thought the right response would come instead through a return to Arab roots and an ostensibly purer form of Islam: this gave rise to Salafism, which seeks to emulate the ways of the earliest Muslims and in which jihadism is rooted.

The Economist

The angle β has a contrary trend.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

The surface areas, total pore volumes and micropore percentages of the CO2-activated samples evidently increase with increasing activation temperature from 800 to 950 °C, while the N contents show a contrary trend from 7.6 to 3.8 at%.

Nano-Micro Letters

The surface areas, total pore volumes and micropore percentages of the CO2-activated samples evidently increase with increasing activation temperature from 800 to 950 °C, while the N contents show a contrary trend from 7.6 to 3.8 at% determined by XPS.

Nano-Micro Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the contrary trend", ensure it clearly contrasts with a previously mentioned or implied trend. Providing context for both trends will enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the contrary trend" without clearly establishing the initial trend to which it is opposed. Readers need a clear reference point to understand the contrast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the contrary trend" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific pattern that opposes a previously mentioned or generally understood trend.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the contrary trend" is a noun phrase used to denote a pattern or movement that opposes a previously established or generally understood direction. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, although its use is relatively rare. It's most often encountered in scientific and news contexts, used to highlight deviations from expected patterns. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear contrast with an initial trend to maintain clarity for the reader. Alternatives such as "the opposite trend" or "the reverse trend" can provide similar meaning with slightly varied emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the opposite trend

Replaces "contrary" with "opposite", emphasizing the direct opposition of the trend.

the reverse trend

Uses "reverse" instead of "contrary", indicating a trend that moves in the opposite direction.

the inverse trend

Replaces "contrary" with "inverse", suggesting an indirect or opposite relationship.

the opposing trend

Substitutes "contrary" with "opposing", highlighting the conflicting nature of the trend.

a conflicting trend

Uses "conflicting" to describe the trend, indicating it clashes with another.

a divergent trend

Replaces "contrary" with "divergent", meaning the trend is moving apart from another.

a contrasting trend

Employs "contrasting" to denote a trend that differs significantly from another.

a counter trend

Uses "counter" to indicate the trend acts against a prevailing one.

a turnaround trend

Suggests the trend is a reversal from a previous direction or pattern.

a deviation from the trend

Focuses on the departure from an established or expected trend.

FAQs

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

You can use "the contrary trend" to highlight an opposing movement or development. For example, "While overall sales increased, "the contrary trend" was observed in the younger demographic".

What's a simple alternative to "the contrary trend"?

A simpler alternative is "the opposite trend", which directly conveys the idea of a reversal or opposing direction.

Is "the contrary trend" formal or informal language?

"The contrary trend" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in analytical or descriptive writing.

How does "the contrary trend" differ from "the usual trend"?

"The usual trend" refers to an expected or typical pattern, whereas "the contrary trend" indicates a deviation or reversal from that expectation.