was contrary to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was contrary to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that something went against a given condition or expectation. For example: Her behavior during the meeting was contrary to our expectations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He believed that this was contrary to freedom of expression.

The Guardian

She added, "That was contrary to our policies".

The New York Times

This was contrary to what Congress had intended.

The New York Times

While it was contrary to public expectations, it was not a shift in policy.

The New York Times

The isolated incident described was contrary to everything we live and teach.

The New York Times

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis was contrary to prevailing academic wisdom, and was effectively ignored.

The New York Times - Science

"The T.L.C.'s reaction was contrary to the law governing service refusals".

The New York Times

"If it was contrary to how he thought, he'd lose it.

The Guardian

Mr. Bradley also said that the open cockpit was, contrary to intuition, preferable in the cold.

The New York Times

Because it was contrary to the interests of our eurozone partners.

The Guardian - Business

What happened to him in 1964 was contrary to everything the First Amendment represents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was contrary to" when you want to emphasize that something went against an established rule, expectation, or belief. Be precise in identifying what the subject is contrary to.

Common error

Avoid using "was contrary to" when simply indicating a difference. Reserve it for situations where a direct opposition or violation of an expectation exists. A simple difference can be expressed using 'differed from' or 'varied from'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contrary to" functions as a predicate adjective that describes a subject's state of opposition or contradiction to a norm, expectation, or rule. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a grammatically correct phrase. Examples show it connecting a subject with its opposing condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was contrary to" is a versatile phrase used to express opposition or contradiction. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, noting its utility in showing something opposing an expected condition. Found frequently in both News & Media and Science contexts, with some presence in Formal & Business settings, this phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. Related alternatives include "was opposed to" and "was inconsistent with", each offering a subtly different nuance. Remember to reserve "was contrary to" for situations involving genuine opposition, not mere difference. The phrase is quite common across various reputable sources, making it a reliable choice for expressing contradiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was the antithesis of

This highlights a complete and direct opposition, representing the exact opposite.

was opposed to

This suggests active resistance or disapproval, implying a stronger stance than simply being different.

ran counter to

Suggests a direct opposition or conflict, like currents moving in opposite directions.

was in opposition to

This indicates a direct conflict or disagreement, often in a more formal or structured setting.

clashed with

Implies a forceful disagreement or conflict, often involving opposing forces.

was at odds with

Expresses a state of disagreement or conflict, often due to conflicting interests.

was inconsistent with

Focuses on a lack of alignment or coherence, rather than direct opposition.

did not align with

Emphasizes a discrepancy or lack of correspondence, often in terms of goals or values.

deviated from

Highlights a departure from a norm, standard, or expected path.

differed from

States a simple difference or variation, without necessarily implying opposition.

FAQs

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

Use "was contrary to" to indicate that something opposed or contradicted something else, such as "His actions "was contrary to" his promises".

What's the difference between "was contrary to" and "was different from"?

"Was contrary to" implies opposition or contradiction, while "was different from" simply indicates a distinction without necessarily implying conflict.

What are some alternatives to "was contrary to"?

Alternatives include "was opposed to", "was inconsistent with", or "did not align with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "was contrary to" in formal writing?

Yes, "was contrary to" is suitable for formal writing when used accurately to express opposition or contradiction. Consider the context to ensure it's the most precise choice.