to the contrary

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the contrary" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a contrasting statement or idea to what has just been said. For example: "Many people believe that the situation is hopeless, but to the contrary, I believe there is hope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To the contrary.

The New York Times

No, to the contrary.

The New York Times - Magazine

Quite to the contrary.

The New York Times

They protest to the contrary.

The Economist

"In fact, to the contrary".

The New York Times

"It's totally to the contrary.

The Guardian

Does anyone have evidence to the contrary?

The New York Times

The position is entirely to the contrary".

Independent

Prosecutors offered evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times

To the contrary, they insisted on cuts.

The New Yorker

Too much evidence exists to the contrary.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the contrary" to introduce a direct contradiction or refutation of a preceding statement. This signals to the reader that you are about to present an opposing viewpoint or evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "to the contrary" when you simply want to offer a different perspective or nuance, rather than a direct contradiction. Alternatives like "however" or "on the other hand" may be more appropriate for softer disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the contrary" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to introduce a statement that contradicts or opposes what has been previously said. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to the contrary" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a direct contradiction or opposing viewpoint. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Academia. To enhance clarity and impact, use "to the contrary" when presenting a clear refutation, and avoid its use when simply offering a different perspective. Ludwig's analysis demonstrates that while "to the contrary" is a valuable tool, its effectiveness lies in its precise application to situations warranting strong disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the contrary

Similar in meaning but slightly more common and versatile.

quite the opposite

Emphasizes a complete reversal of the previous statement.

in contrast

Highlights a difference or opposition between two things.

conversely

Introduces a statement that reverses the one previously made.

au contraire

A more formal and somewhat playful way to express disagreement, borrowed from French.

as a matter of fact

Introduces a statement that contradicts or corrects a previous one, often adding emphasis.

actually

Indicates that the following statement is true, despite what was previously believed or said.

in opposition to that

A more formal way of expressing disagreement or contradiction.

not at all

Directly negates the previous statement.

by contrast

Similar to "in contrast", emphasizing the difference.

FAQs

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

Use "to the contrary" to introduce a statement that directly opposes a previous one. For example, "Many believe the project will fail; "to the contrary", we are confident it will succeed."

What are some alternatives to "to the contrary"?

You can use phrases such as "on the contrary", "quite the opposite", or "in contrast" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "to the contrary" or "on the contrary"?

Both "to the contrary" and "on the contrary" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "On the contrary" is slightly more common, but "to the contrary" is also perfectly acceptable.

When should I use "to the contrary" instead of "however"?

Use "to the contrary" when you want to express a direct contradiction. Use "however" when you want to introduce a contrasting point that doesn't necessarily negate the previous statement but offers a different perspective or limitation.