totally contradictory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally contradictory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two statements or ideas that completely oppose each other. Example: "His claims about the project were totally contradictory to the evidence we gathered during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But I loved the music; it's quite cabaret and camp, and totally contradictory to the artwork.

The Guardian - Music

At any point the surface and what's underneath can be totally contradictory.

The New York Times

"The visions are not totally contradictory, they can be complementary," argues Celso Amorim, who has been Brazil's foreign minister and defence minister.

The Economist

In a statement Karzai said the office was "totally contradictory to the guarantees that were made by the USA to Afghanistan".

The Guardian

The woman, Carmen Gonzalez, a 33-year-old former convict with a history of drug abuse, has given two sworn statements that are totally contradictory.

The New York Times

"It was totally contradictory to the spirit of the relationship we have had with the United States as allies in the war against Saddam".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Endless, endless manifestos that are both beautiful and ridiculous – and totally self-contradictory, like all artistic manifestos should be.

The Guardian - Books

All that is contradictory.

EU Parlament

He was totally unpleasant, yet totally charming, the old contradictory makeup of many illustrious artists and hooligans.

The New York Times - Books

While these participants understood that the environment plays a key role in determining which traits are best suited for survival, they hold the contradictory view that evolution is a totally random process.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

But in the midst of all of the waistline mania and fabricated pathologies exists a contradictory but equally true food fact: Los Angeles is more abundant with wildly popular and totally pervasive fattening foods than perhaps any other American city.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally contradictory", ensure that the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support the claim of complete opposition. Avoid using it loosely for mere differences or minor inconsistencies.

Common error

Avoid overusing "totally contradictory" as a mere intensifier for disagreement. Reserve it for situations where the opposition is absolute and unequivocal, preventing dilution of its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally contradictory" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is completely opposed or inconsistent. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to express a strong sense of opposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally contradictory" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize a complete lack of agreement or consistency. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and commonly used. It functions as an adjectival phrase, primarily appearing in news and media, science and formal business contexts. While "totally" might sometimes be considered informal, the combination with "contradictory" creates a neutral tone. For alternative expressions, consider phrases such as "completely opposed" or "entirely inconsistent" to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely opposed

Emphasizes direct opposition without necessarily implying inconsistency or paradox.

entirely inconsistent

Highlights the lack of coherence or agreement between two or more things.

mutually exclusive

Suggests that the presence of one thing necessitates the absence of another.

diametrically opposed

Implies that the opposition is as direct and extreme as possible, like opposite ends of a diameter.

irreconcilably different

Focuses on the inability to find common ground or resolution between differing elements.

poles apart

Suggests a great distance or separation between two things in terms of characteristics or opinions.

in complete disagreement

Highlights the lack of consensus or agreement on a particular issue.

at complete variance

Focuses on the state of being different or divergent.

in total opposition

Emphasizes the complete resistance or contrast between two elements.

radically divergent

Indicates a significant departure from a common point or path.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "totally contradictory" in a sentence?

Use "totally contradictory" to emphasize that two elements are in complete opposition and cannot both be true or valid. For instance, "His actions are "totally contradictory" to his words."

What are some alternatives to "totally contradictory"?

Alternatives include "completely opposed", "entirely inconsistent", or "diametrically opposed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the nature of the contradiction.

Is it redundant to use "totally" with "contradictory"?

While "contradictory" already implies a degree of opposition, "totally contradictory" reinforces the completeness of the opposition. It's not strictly redundant but adds emphasis.

How does "totally contradictory" differ from "somewhat contradictory"?

"Totally contradictory" indicates a complete and absolute opposition, whereas "somewhat contradictory" suggests a partial or minor inconsistency. The former implies a fundamental conflict, while the latter suggests a nuance or minor discrepancy.