this is counterintuitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is counterintuitive" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something goes against what would be expected or logical. Example: "At first glance, the idea of cutting your spending to save money may seem counterintuitive, but it can actually lead to significant savings in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

This is counterintuitive.

The New York Times

This is counterintuitive to many stakeholders.

American Heart Journal

I would imagine that for most people this is counterintuitive.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is counterintuitive: most people assume that "heavier" objects fall faster.

The Guardian

"This is counterintuitive, but you have to understand law enforcement," the mayor said.

The New York Times

This is counterintuitive given that livelihoods are key to achieving sustainable development.

Environmental Science & Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is counterintuitive-most of our society is structured around using cash motivators to increase our happiness.

HuffPost

This was counterintuitive direction for the former Adelaide, but she followed it.

The New York Times

This was counterintuitive improvement; Ohio State improved with its best player on the bench.

The New York Times - Sports

This result is counterintuitive, and we investigated the reason for this increase.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

It is found that the optimal material configuration for this objective is counterintuitive.

Materials & Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is counterintuitive", immediately follow it with an explanation of why it is unexpected. This helps the reader understand the surprising aspect and prevents confusion.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "this is counterintuitive". It can become repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use other phrases to introduce unexpected information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is counterintuitive" functions as an introductory expression, signaling that the subsequent statement will contradict a common assumption or expectation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to highlight surprising or unexpected findings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is counterintuitive" is a useful tool for signaling unexpected information, alerting the audience that the claim that follows will contradict a common assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. With a "Common" frequency of use, this phrase appears across diverse fields, though most often in science and news media, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's best to immediately provide context to explain why the statement may seem surprising. Alternatives such as "this seems paradoxical" or "this defies expectation" can be used to introduce an element of surprise with slight nuance. Ludwig's examples offer a rich source for understanding how to effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this seems paradoxical

Focuses on the contradictory nature of the statement.

this appears contradictory

Highlights the conflicting appearance of the information.

this defies expectation

Emphasizes the violation of what is normally anticipated.

this is not what one would expect

Expresses surprise at the unexpected nature of the situation.

this goes against the grain

Suggests a conflict with conventional wisdom or established norms.

this is the opposite of what you'd think

Uses a more conversational tone to express the unexpected outcome.

this is an unexpected result

Highlights the surprise associated with the outcome.

this is against common sense

Highlights the illogical aspect.

this is an anomaly

Suggests that the information is an exception to the rule.

this runs contrary to expectations

Emphasizes the opposition to what was predicted.

FAQs

How can I use "this is counterintuitive" in a sentence?

You can use "this is counterintuitive" to introduce an idea or result that goes against common expectations. For example, "This is counterintuitive, because most people start exercising to lose weight".

What are some alternatives to saying "this is counterintuitive"?

Alternatives include "this seems paradoxical", "this defies expectation", or "this is not what one would expect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this is counterintuitive"?

Yes, "this is counterintuitive" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing.

What does "this is counterintuitive" mean?

"This is counterintuitive" means that something goes against what one would intuitively expect or what seems logical at first glance.