Definition: The phrase "to the contrary" is used to indicate that something is opposite or different from what has just been stated or believed. It suggests that there is evidence or reasoning that contradicts a previous statement or expectation.
In more complex sentences, "to the contrary" can be used to introduce a contrasting idea: - "The weather forecast predicted rain; to the contrary, it turned out to be a sunny day."
"To the contrary" is specifically about contradicting a statement. In other contexts, "contrary" can refer to something that opposes or is different from another thing.
While "to the contrary" itself is not an idiom, it is often used in the context of idiomatic expressions that indicate opposition, such as: - "Not so fast" – suggesting that the previous statement may not be correct. - "Far from it" – indicating that the reality is quite different.
There are no direct phrasal verbs that correspond exactly to "to the contrary," but you might use phrases like: - "Turn out differently" – suggesting an unexpected outcome. - Example: "I thought the test would be easy, but it turned out differently."
"To the contrary" is a useful phrase for expressing disagreement or presenting an opposing viewpoint. It helps clarify that the reality is different from what has been assumed or stated.