there are some counterexamples to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are some counterexamples to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing instances or cases that contradict a particular claim, theory, or argument. Example: "While many believe that all swans are white, there are some counterexamples to this notion, as black swans exist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are some counterexamples to this trend, however.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Collingwood is not supposing that every work of art could in point of fact exist only people's minds; of music, for example, he writes '[P]erhaps no one can do that [possess himself of the music] unless he does hear the noises' (140; of course there are some prima facie counterexamples to this; later Beethoven, for example).

SEP

(As we shall see, there are potential counterexamples to some of these principles involving entities that seem not to be material objects, such as universals and tropes).

SEP

Secondly, there are obvious counterexamples to this crude account morally appalling cases of letting die failing to feed one's children and morally acceptable cases of killing.

SEP

Now one might think that there are obvious counterexamples to the slogan: parents are sometimes held responsible for the actions of their children, and accomplices are held responsible for the crimes committed by others.

SEP

There are also counterexamples to the premiss that any function that does have a graphical curve which visibly crosses the line representing \ y = c\) takes \(c\) as a value, e.g., the function \(x^2 - 2\) on the rationals with \(c = 0\).

SEP

The eventual counterexample published by E. Rips in 1972 was very involved, and while by now there are more counterexamples to this conjecture, the nature of the difference between the integer dimension series and the lower central series is still absolutely mysterious.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

A definition is extensionally adequate iff there are no actual counterexamples to it; it is intensionally adequate iff there are no possible counterexamples to it; and it is sense adequate (or analytic) iff it endows the defined term with the right sense.

SEP

There are counterexamples to those, for instance, suffering from what came to be called undistributed middle terms, e.g.: all As are Bs; some Bs are Cs; so, all As are Cs (all university students are literate; some literate people read poetry; so, all university students read poetry).

SEP

In response to such critics, Chalmers argues that there are no clear counterexamples to the modal rationalist thesis and that the thesis provides a simple and compelling interpretation of the point of modal discourse (Chalmers 1999, 2002a).

SEP

Harman even thinks that there are counterexamples to that proposition (Harman 2001), in which case there would not be a lack of counterexamples and so nothing to explain.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "there are some counterexamples to", ensure that you provide specific examples to support your statement. This adds credibility to your argument and helps your audience understand the exceptions you are highlighting.

Common error

Avoid making broad, sweeping claims without acknowledging potential exceptions. If "there are some counterexamples to" a general rule, qualify your statement to reflect the nuances and limitations of the rule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are some counterexamples to" functions as an introductory phrase used to acknowledge and introduce exceptions or contradictory cases to a general statement or theory. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound way to signal that what follows will challenge or limit the scope of a prior assertion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are some counterexamples to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to introduce exceptions or contradictory cases to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to qualify assertions and acknowledge their limitations. The phrase is common in both scientific and news contexts, and related phrases include "there are some exceptions to" and "certain examples challenge". When using this phrase, be sure to provide specific examples to support your claim and avoid overgeneralizing. This ensures that your writing is nuanced, accurate, and credible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there are some exceptions to

Replaces "counterexamples" with "exceptions", focusing on the idea of cases that do not follow a rule or pattern.

there are some instances that contradict

Replaces the phrase with a more direct statement of contradiction.

there are some cases that disprove

Emphasizes that certain cases invalidate a claim.

some evidence contradicts

Focuses on the evidence that goes against a particular statement.

certain examples challenge

Highlights the challenging nature of some examples against a prevailing idea.

not all cases conform to

Indicates that there are deviations from an expected norm.

exceptions exist to

A more concise way of stating that exceptions are present.

some anomalies defy

Uses "anomalies" to suggest irregular or unexpected occurrences.

contrary evidence indicates

Shifts the focus to evidence that opposes a given assertion.

the rule is not without its exceptions

A more formal way to express that a rule has exceptions.

FAQs

How can I use "there are some counterexamples to" in a sentence?

You can use "there are some counterexamples to" to introduce instances that contradict a general claim or theory. For example: "While it's generally believed that X is true, there are some counterexamples to this belief."

What are some alternatives to saying "there are some counterexamples to"?

Alternatives include "there are some exceptions to", "some instances contradict", or "certain examples challenge". Each of these can be used to express the idea that there are cases that do not fit a particular pattern or rule. You can explore other options like "there are some exceptions to" or "certain examples challenge".

Is it better to say "there are some counterexamples for" or "there are some counterexamples to"?

The correct preposition to use is "to". "There are some counterexamples to" is the standard and grammatically correct way to express that certain cases contradict a claim. Using "for" in this context is incorrect.

How do I effectively present counterexamples after stating "there are some counterexamples to"?

After stating "there are some counterexamples to", clearly and concisely present the counterexamples, explaining how they contradict the original claim. Providing context and evidence for each counterexample strengthens your argument.