to contradict

USAGE SUMMARY

"to contradict" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a sentence to indicate the act of stating or doing something that goes against or opposes a previous statement or action. For example: - He tried to contradict her argument, but she had solid evidence to support her claim. - The survey results contradict the company's claims of customer satisfaction. - The witness's testimony completely contradicted the defendant's alibi. The phrase "to contradict" can also be used in a more general sense, to indicate any type of disagreement or opposition. For example: - His actions contradict his words, making it difficult to trust him. - Your behavior contradicts the values you claim to stand for. - The new data contradicts the existing theories on climate change.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Several failed to contradict him.

The Economist

Strong enough to contradict Mr. Vietor?

The New York Times

To contradict cold-war propaganda was worse.

The Economist

It was a claim impossible to contradict.

The Economist

Supreme Court justices hate to contradict themselves.

The New York Times

But evidence seems to contradict that.

The New York Times

But there is evidence to contradict him.

The New Yorker

It's hard to contradict Barber's statement.

The New York Times - Sports

Not for us small fry to contradict.

The New York Times

I really want to contradict that lie".

The Guardian

His attitudes seem to contradict his life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to contradict", ensure that the opposing statement or evidence is clearly presented to effectively highlight the discrepancy.

Common error

Avoid using "to contradict" without specifying what is being contradicted; otherwise, your statement may lack clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to contradict" is as an infinitive verb expressing an action of opposing or denying a statement or belief. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, from negating claims to opposing actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to contradict" is a versatile infinitive phrase widely used to indicate opposition or denial. As evidenced by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. The phrase is grammatically sound and benefits from clear contextualization to maximize its impact. Related alternatives include "to refute" and "to deny", each with unique nuances. Proper usage involves providing a clear point of comparison to ensure clarity. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, solidifying its status as a key phrase for expressing disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to refute

Emphasizes proving something to be false through evidence or argument.

to disprove

Focuses on demonstrating that something is not true or valid.

to challenge

Highlights questioning the validity or accuracy of something.

to deny

Indicates stating that something is not true, often directly.

to rebut

Suggests countering an argument with opposing evidence or claims.

to negate

Implies nullifying or rendering something ineffective.

to counter

Focuses on acting against something to reduce its effect.

to invalidate

Highlights making something null and void, often legally or logically.

to confute

Implies overwhelming an argument with irrefutable evidence.

to controvert

Indicates arguing against or disputing something.

FAQs

How can I use "to contradict" in a sentence?

You can use "to contradict" to show disagreement or opposition, such as in "The evidence seems "to contradict" his claims".

What's a good alternative to "to contradict"?

Alternatives include "to refute", "to deny", or "to challenge", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to contradict" or "to oppose"?

"To contradict" implies a direct conflict of statements or evidence, while "to oppose" suggests resistance or disagreement. The best choice depends on whether you're highlighting a factual discrepancy or a difference in opinion.

What's the difference between "to contradict" and "to invalidate"?

"To contradict" means to present opposing information, while "to invalidate" means to make something null or without effect. For example, evidence can "to contradict" a theory, but a legal ruling can "to invalidate" a contract.