Connive vs Contrive: Which One Is The Correct One?

Are you confused about whether to use the words connive or contrive? You are not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. In this article, we will explore the differences between connive and contrive, and when to use each of them.

We should clarify the meanings of these two words. Connive means to secretly plot or scheme, often in a dishonest or illegal way. Contrive means to plan or invent something skillfully and cleverly.

So, which of these words is the proper word to use? The answer is that it depends on the context. If you are referring to a secret plot or scheme, then connive is the correct word to use. On the other hand, if you are talking about skillfully planning or inventing something, then contrive is the appropriate word.

Now that we have established the definitions of these words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and explore some examples.

Define Connive

Connive is a verb that means to secretly plan or plot to do something that is illegal or harmful. It involves a level of collaboration or cooperation with others to carry out the plan. The term is often associated with deceitful or underhanded behavior.

For example, a group of employees may connive to steal company funds by creating fake invoices and diverting the money to their personal accounts. In this scenario, the employees are working together to carry out an illegal act.

Define Contrive

Contrive is a verb that means to plan or devise a scheme or idea, often with ingenuity or creativity. Unlike connive, contrive does not necessarily have a negative connotation and can refer to both positive and negative actions.

For instance, a scientist may contrive a new experiment to test a hypothesis, or an artist may contrive a unique piece of artwork using unconventional materials. In these cases, contrive implies a level of thoughtfulness and innovation.

However, contrive can also be used to describe negative actions, such as when a criminal contrives a plan to rob a bank or when a politician contrives a scheme to deceive their constituents. In these cases, contrive implies a level of deceit or manipulation.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words “connive” and “contrive” in a sentence, it’s important to understand their meanings and how they differ. Here’s a guide on how to properly use these words in your writing:

How To Use “Connive” In A Sentence

Connive is a verb that means to secretly plan or plot something, usually something deceitful or illegal. Here are some examples of how to use “connive” in a sentence:

• She and her co-conspirators connived to steal the company’s confidential information.
• The corrupt officials connived to embezzle public funds.
• He was accused of conniving with the enemy during the war.

As you can see, “connive” is often used in the context of illegal or unethical activities. It implies a sense of secrecy and deception.

How To Use “Contrive” In A Sentence

Contrive is also a verb, but it means something slightly different than “connive.” Contrive means to plan or invent something in a skillful or clever way. Here are some examples of how to use “contrive” in a sentence:

• She contrived a plan to surprise her husband on their anniversary.
• The chef contrived a new recipe using unusual ingredients.
• He contrived a way to escape from the locked room.

As you can see, “contrive” is often used in the context of creativity or ingenuity. It implies a sense of skill and cleverness.

Overall, it’s important to use these words correctly in your writing to convey the intended meaning. While they may sound similar, they have distinct differences in meaning and usage.

More Examples Of Connive & Contrive Used In Sentences

Understanding the proper usage of connive and contrive in sentences is crucial to avoid confusion and misinterpretation. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Connive In A Sentence

• He was accused of conniving with the enemy to betray his country.
• The two politicians were caught conniving to rig the election.
• She connived with her friends to pull off the perfect prank.
• They were suspected of conniving to steal company secrets.
• The siblings connived to keep their parents from finding out about the party.
• He connived with his lawyer to reduce his sentence.
• The group of thieves connived to rob the bank.
• She was caught conniving with her co-workers to sabotage the project.
• He was accused of conniving with his ex-girlfriend to ruin his current relationship.
• The team connived to cheat their opponents out of the win.

Examples Of Using Contrive In A Sentence

• He contrived a plan to escape from the prison.
• She contrived an excuse to skip the meeting.
• The artist contrived a new technique to create stunning paintings.
• He contrived a way to sneak into the concert without a ticket.
• The engineer contrived a device to make the machine run more efficiently.
• She contrived a clever scheme to get her boss’s attention.
• The writer contrived a plot twist that left readers stunned.
• He contrived a plan to win her heart.
• The magician contrived an illusion that amazed the audience.
• She contrived a solution to the complex problem.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using connive and contrive, there are some common mistakes people make by using these two words interchangeably. However, it is essential to understand that connive and contrive have different meanings and are not interchangeable. Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid:

Using Connive And Contrive Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make is using connive and contrive interchangeably. Connive means to conspire or plot, while contrive means to plan or invent something skillfully. These two words have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably. For example, saying “I contrived with my friends to steal the car” is incorrect. The correct sentence would be “I connived with my friends to steal the car.”

Using Contrive In Place Of Conceive

Another common mistake is using contrive in place of conceive. Conceive means to come up with an idea or plan, while contrive means to plan something skillfully. For example, saying “I contrived a new business idea” is incorrect. The correct sentence would be “I conceived a new business idea.”

Using Connive To Mean ‘Come To An Agreement’

Using connive to mean “come to an agreement” is also a common mistake. Connive means to conspire or plot, while come to an agreement means to reach a mutual understanding. For example, saying “We connived on the terms of the contract” is incorrect. The correct sentence would be “We came to an agreement on the terms of the contract.”

Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes, it is essential to understand the meanings of connive and contrive. Here are some tips:

• Use a dictionary to look up the meanings of connive and contrive.
• Read examples of how these words are used in context.
• Practice using these words correctly in your writing and speaking.

By following these tips, you can avoid making common mistakes when using connive and contrive.

Context Matters

Choosing between connive and contrive can be a tricky decision, as it depends on the context in which they are used. Both words have similar meanings, but they are not interchangeable and can convey different nuances depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between connive and contrive might change:

Context	Choice between connive and contrive
Political	Connive
Legal	Contrive
Social	Connive or Contrive

In a political context, connive is often used to describe a secret or underhanded agreement between two parties. For example, “The two politicians connived to rig the election.” In this case, connive implies a level of deceit and dishonesty.

On the other hand, in a legal context, contrive is often used to describe a deliberate plan or scheme. For example, “The defendant contrived an alibi to avoid being convicted.” In this case, contrive implies a level of premeditation and intentionality.

In a social context, the choice between connive and contrive can depend on the specific situation and the connotation that the speaker wants to convey. For example, “She connived to surprise her friend with a birthday party” implies a level of secrecy and collaboration, while “He contrived an elaborate plan to propose to his girlfriend” implies a level of creativity and effort.

Overall, the choice between connive and contrive depends on the specific context and the connotation that the speaker wants to convey. It is important to understand the subtle differences between these two words in order to use them effectively and accurately in different situations.

Exceptions To The Rules

While there are general rules for using connive and contrive, there are also exceptions where these rules may not apply. Here are some instances where the use of these words might differ:

1. Use In Legal Jargon

In legal jargon, connive and contrive may have different meanings than their standard definitions. For example, in a legal context, connive might mean to knowingly allow something illegal to occur, while contrive might mean to plan or devise a scheme in order to achieve a specific outcome.

2. Regional Variations

Language use can vary by region, and this is true for connive and contrive as well. In some regions, one word may be used more frequently than the other, or they may have different connotations. For example, in some parts of the United States, connive might be used more often than contrive, while in other areas, the opposite may be true.

3. Contextual Differences

The context in which connive and contrive are used can also affect their meaning. For instance, in a business context, connive might imply a negative connotation of scheming or plotting, while contrive might be used more neutrally to describe the planning or devising of a strategy.

4. Historical Usage

Finally, historical usage can also affect the meaning of these words. In older texts, connive might be used more often to describe secret plotting or scheming, while contrive might be used more often to describe the planning or devising of a strategy.

It is important to consider the context in which these words are being used and to be aware of any regional or historical variations in their meanings.

Practice Exercises

To help readers improve their understanding and use of connive and contrive in sentences, the following practice exercises are offered:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each sentence:

1. She __________ a plan to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend.
2. The two criminals __________ to rob the bank.
3. He __________ with his boss to get a promotion.
4. The politician was caught trying to __________ votes.

Answer Key:

1. contrived
2. connived
3. connived
4. connive

Explanation: In sentence 1, “contrived” is the correct word because it means to come up with a plan or scheme. In sentence 2, “connived” is the correct word because it means to secretly plan or plot something. In sentence 3, “connived” is again the correct word because it means to secretly work with someone to achieve a goal. In sentence 4, “connive” is the correct word because it means to plan or plot something in a secretive or underhanded way.

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with the correct form of connive or contrive:

1. She __________ a way to get out of going to the party.
2. The two friends __________ to play a prank on their roommate.
3. He was __________ with the enemy to bring about peace.
4. The criminal __________ a plan to escape from prison.

Answer Key:

1. contrived
2. connived
3. conniving
4. contrived

Explanation: In sentence 1, “contrived” is the correct word because it means to come up with a plan or scheme. In sentence 2, “connived” is the correct word because it means to secretly plan or plot something. In sentence 3, “conniving” is the correct form of the word because it means actively participating in a secret plan. In sentence 4, “contrived” is the correct word because it means to come up with a plan or scheme.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between connive and contrive, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Connive refers to secretly cooperating with someone in a dishonest or illegal activity, while contrive means to plan or invent a scheme or idea.

It is important to understand the nuances of language and grammar to effectively communicate in both written and verbal forms. By using words correctly, we can convey our intended message and avoid confusion or misunderstandings.

Key Takeaways

• Connive and contrive have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.
• Connive refers to secretly cooperating with someone in a dishonest or illegal activity.
• Contrive means to plan or invent a scheme or idea.
• Understanding the nuances of language and grammar is essential for effective communication.

As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, keep in mind the importance of using words correctly and accurately conveying your intended message. By doing so, you can enhance your communication skills and effectively connect with others.