to hold a contrary view

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to hold a contrary view" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a disagreement or an opposing opinion on a particular topic or issue. Example: "While many support the new policy, I choose to hold a contrary view, believing it may lead to unintended consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will require us to change our political discourse, to stop demonizing those who hold a contrary view, and to put the best interests of the nation ahead of all else.

Los Angeles Times

Some researchers reported that ERS promoted heart failure; others hold a contrary view.

Nature

I hold a contrary view.

Forbes

Scholars who adopted leadership theories looked at how organisational leadership impacted outcomes of CSR activities while those who adopted neo classical theory juxtaposed it with the Keynesian theory, explaining that while the neo classical theorists saw CSR as a deflection from the core objective of a firm, the Keynesian theorists hold a contrary view.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Others hold a contrary view that nonetheless sows a similar form of apathy: The European parliament is for all intents an impotent body given that the European Council wields the real power.

HuffPost

HOW do you teach managers to manage? Henry Mintzberg, a professor of management at McGill University in Montreal, has long held a contrary view to that proposed by most business schools.

The Economist

Others, holding a contrary view, assert that a tradition of two centuries is not to be ignored.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is never afraid to take a contrary view, for democracy depends on reasoned alternatives.

The Guardian

A contrary view holds that the weather has simply been too nice for Mr. Suharto to die.

The New York Times

A contrary view holds that which expressions are treated as logical constants is a matter of choice, with different choices serving different purposes.

SEP

A contrary view holds that moral reasons are necessarily general, whether because the sources of their justification are all general or because a moral claim is ill-formed if it contains particularities.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "to hold a contrary view" with a clear explanation of the reasoning behind the differing opinion to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "to hold a contrary view" when simply stating a different preference or taste. "Contrary" implies a direct opposition to a factual statement or widely accepted belief, not just a matter of personal preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to hold a contrary view" functions as a verb phrase used to express disagreement or opposition to a widely accepted belief or idea. As shown in Ludwig, it suggests a reasoned and considered alternative perspective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to hold a contrary view" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express disagreement with a prevailing opinion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for neutral to formal contexts, often appearing in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. While interchangeable with phrases like "to maintain an opposing stance" or "to disagree with the common perspective", it specifically implies a considered and reasoned alternative viewpoint. It is important to use it correctly only if you want to express an opposition to a factual statement, but not only a different personal taste.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to maintain an opposing stance

Replaces "hold a contrary view" with a term emphasizing maintaining a firm position of disagreement.

to have a divergent viewpoint

Emphasizes the difference in perspective compared to others, making it about the perspective rather than the act of holding it.

to disagree with the common perspective

Substitutes "hold a contrary view" with a straightforward statement of disagreement with the majority.

to stand in opposition

Expresses a direct adversarial relationship to the mainstream view, indicating active resistance or disagreement.

to take issue with the established viewpoint

Replaces "hold a contrary view" with a phrase emphasizing a challenge to an accepted idea.

to dissent from the prevailing opinion

Replaces "hold a contrary view" with a more formal and emphatic expression of disagreement.

to oppose the conventional wisdom

Replaces "hold a contrary view" with a more forceful declaration of opposition to widely accepted beliefs.

to harbor a different opinion

Uses "harbor" to suggest holding a view privately, differing subtly from the overt expression in the original phrase.

to espouse a conflicting ideology

Indicates that the contrary view is part of a broader, systematic belief system that contradicts the dominant one.

to think otherwise

Offers a simple, direct alternative to expressing a differing view.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hold a contrary view"?

To "hold a contrary view" means to maintain an opinion or belief that is in opposition to what is commonly accepted or believed by others. It implies a disagreement with a prevailing perspective.

How can I use "to hold a contrary view" in a sentence?

You can use "to hold a contrary view" when introducing a differing opinion, for example: "While many support the policy, I "maintain an opposing stance", believing it will have negative consequences."

What are some alternatives to saying "to hold a contrary view"?

Alternatives include "to disagree with the common perspective", "to dissent from the prevailing opinion", or "to "maintain an opposing stance"".

Is it better to say "to hold a contrary view" or "to have a different opinion"?

"To hold a contrary view" suggests a more active and considered opposition to a prevailing idea, whereas "to have a different opinion" is a more general statement of disagreement. The best choice depends on the context and the strength of the disagreement you want to convey.