When it comes to using the English language, it’s easy to get confused with words that sound similar but have different meanings. One such pair of words is contrarily and contrary. Both words are often used interchangeably, but are they really the same? Let’s take a closer look.
Contrarily and contrary are not the same word, but they are related. Contrarily is an adverb that means in a way that is opposite or against what is expected or intended. On the other hand, contrary is an adjective that means opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.
So, when it comes to choosing the proper word, it depends on how you want to use it. If you want to describe an action or behavior that goes against what is expected, then contrarily would be the better choice. If you want to describe something that is the opposite of what is expected, then contrary would be the better choice.
Throughout this article, we will explore the differences between contrarily and contrary, and how to use them properly in your writing.
Define Contrarily
Contrarily is an adverb that is used to describe a situation where something is done in a manner that is opposite or different from what is expected or desired. It refers to a behavior or action that goes against what is considered the norm or the usual course of events. For example, if someone is asked to do something and they do the opposite, they are behaving contrarily.
Define Contrary
Contrary is an adjective that is used to describe a situation where something is completely different or opposite to what is expected or desired. It refers to a state of being that is in opposition to something else. For example, if someone has a contrary opinion, it means that their opinion is completely different from what is generally accepted.
To summarize, while contrarily refers to a behavior or action that goes against what is expected, contrary refers to a state of being that is in opposition to something else. It is important to understand the difference between these two terms in order to use them correctly in everyday communication.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using words correctly in a sentence can be a challenge, especially when two words sound similar but have different meanings. This article will provide a guide on how to properly use the words “contrarily” and “contrary” in a sentence.
How To Use “Contrarily” In A Sentence
“Contrarily” is an adverb that means in a way that is opposite or different from what has been said or done. It is often used to express a contrasting idea or to indicate a disagreement. Here are some examples of how to use “contrarily” in a sentence:
- Contrarily to popular belief, not all dogs like to play fetch.
- She thought the movie was great, but contrarily, I found it boring.
- Contrarily to what he had promised, he did not show up for the meeting.
Notice how “contrarily” is used to introduce a contrasting idea or to indicate a deviation from what is expected. It is often used to express a disagreement or to provide a different perspective.
How To Use “Contrary” In A Sentence
“Contrary” is an adjective that means opposite in nature, direction, or meaning. It is often used to describe a situation or a person’s behavior. Here are some examples of how to use “contrary” in a sentence:
- Contrary to what she said earlier, she did not finish the project on time.
- His actions were contrary to his words.
- Contrary to popular belief, not all snakes are dangerous.
Notice how “contrary” is used to describe a situation that is opposite or different from what is expected. It is often used to indicate a contradiction or to provide a different perspective.
By understanding the difference between “contrarily” and “contrary,” you can use these words correctly in a sentence and avoid confusion. Remember that “contrarily” is an adverb that expresses a contrasting idea or a deviation from what is expected, while “contrary” is an adjective that describes a situation or behavior that is opposite or different from what is expected.
More Examples Of Contrarily & Contrary Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the differences between contrarily and contrary, it is helpful to see them used in context. Below are examples of both words used in sentences.
Examples Of Using Contrarily In A Sentence:
- Contrarily to popular belief, not all sharks are dangerous.
- She thought the meeting went well, but contrarily, her boss was not pleased.
- Contrarily to what the weatherman predicted, it did not rain today.
- He always says he hates vegetables, but contrarily, he loves brussels sprouts.
- Contrarily to what you may think, I am not a morning person.
- She thought the dress was too expensive, but contrarily, it was on sale.
- Contrarily to what the critics said, the movie was actually quite good.
- He thought the test was easy, but contrarily, he received a low grade.
- Contrarily to what she said, she did not finish the project on time.
- The team was expected to win, but contrarily, they lost the game.
Examples Of Using Contrary In A Sentence:
- Contrary to popular belief, not all cats hate water.
- She thought the book was going to be boring, but contrary to her expectations, it was quite interesting.
- Contrary to what he said, he did not complete the task on time.
- He always says he loves spicy food, but contrary to his claims, he cannot handle it.
- Contrary to what the advertisement promised, the product did not work as expected.
- She thought the dress would be too small, but contrary to her fears, it fit perfectly.
- Contrary to what the doctor said, the patient’s condition improved overnight.
- He thought the interview went well, but contrary to his beliefs, he did not get the job.
- Contrary to what the teacher said, the student’s essay was well-written and thoughtful.
- The team was expected to lose, but contrary to predictions, they won the championship.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using contrarily and contrary, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should not be used in place of one another.
Contrarily Vs Contrary
Contrarily is an adverb that means in a way that is opposite or contrary to what has been said or done before. It is used to indicate a contrast or contradiction.
Contrary, on the other hand, is an adjective that means opposite in nature, direction, or meaning. It is used to indicate a disagreement or opposition.
Here are some common mistakes people make when using contrarily and contrary interchangeably:
- Using contrarily to mean contrary. For example: “Contrarily to popular belief, not all cats hate water.” This sentence should use contrary instead of contrarily.
- Using contrary to mean contrarily. For example: “Contrary to what I said earlier, I do not like pizza.” This sentence should use contrarily instead of contrary.
- Using contrarily or contrary instead of however or nevertheless. For example: “I like dogs, contrarily I do not like cats.” This sentence should use however instead of contrarily or contrary.
To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:
- Always double-check the definition of a word before using it.
- If you are unsure about a word’s meaning, use a thesaurus to find a synonym that you are more familiar with.
- Read your writing out loud to ensure that it makes sense and that you have used the correct words.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between the words “contrarily” and “contrary,” context plays a significant role. Depending on the context in which they are used, the meaning of these two words can vary considerably.
Contrarily
The word “contrarily” is an adverb that is used to indicate opposition or contrast. It is often used to express a contradiction or a statement that goes against what has just been said. For example:
- Contrarily to popular belief, not all sharks are dangerous to humans.
- Contrarily to what the media might suggest, the majority of people in this country are law-abiding citizens.
As we can see from these examples, “contrarily” is used to introduce a statement that is different from what most people believe or expect. It is often used to challenge assumptions or to provide an alternative perspective.
Contrary
The word “contrary,” on the other hand, is an adjective that is used to describe something that is opposite or different from what is expected or desired. It can also be used as a noun to refer to an opposite or opposing position. For example:
- Contrary to popular belief, not all cats are aloof and unfriendly.
- His actions were contrary to what he had promised.
- The proposal was met with strong contrary opinions from the board members.
Here, “contrary” is used to describe something that is different from what is commonly believed or expected. It can also be used to express opposition or disagreement with a particular idea or proposal.
Contextual Examples
Let’s take a look at some examples of how the choice between “contrarily” and “contrary” might change depending on the context:
| Context | Example | Word Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing an opposing view | Contrarily/Contrary to what you believe, the earth is not flat. | Contrarily |
| Describing an unexpected outcome | The experiment produced results that were contrarily/contrary to what we expected. | Contrary |
| Expressing disagreement | I am contrarily/contrary to the idea of increasing taxes. | Contrary |
| Describing a behavior that is opposite to what was promised | His actions were contrarily/contrary to his promises. | Contrary |
As we can see from these examples, the choice between “contrarily” and “contrary” depends on the context in which they are used. It is important to understand the subtle differences between these two words to use them effectively in your writing.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “contrarily” and “contrary” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. Here are some cases where the standard rules might not apply:
1. Contrarily Used As An Adverb Of Manner
Although “contrarily” is typically used as a conjunction, it can also function as an adverb of manner in some cases. In this context, it means “in a contrary manner” or “in opposition to what is expected.” For example:
- Contrarily to popular belief, not all cats hate water.
- He acted contrarily to his usual cautious nature and took a big risk.
It’s worth noting that this usage of “contrarily” is less common than its use as a conjunction, so it’s important to use it judiciously.
2. Contrary Used As A Noun
While “contrary” is usually an adjective, it can also function as a noun to refer to something that is opposite or goes against what is expected. For example:
- The fact that she agreed with me was a pleasant contrary to her usual stubbornness.
- His actions were a direct contrary to his words.
In these cases, “contrarily” would not be appropriate because it is a conjunction, not a noun.
3. Contrary Used In Idiomatic Expressions
There are some idiomatic expressions that use “contrary” in a specific way that doesn’t follow the standard rules. For example:
- On the contrary, I think we should go ahead with the plan.
- Contrary to popular belief, the earth is not flat.
In these cases, “contrarily” would not be an appropriate substitute because it doesn’t fit the idiomatic structure of the expression.
By keeping these exceptions in mind, you can use “contrarily” and “contrary” with confidence and precision in your writing.
Practice Exercises
Practice exercises can be a great way for readers to improve their understanding and use of contrarily and contrary in sentences. Here are a few exercises that you can offer:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either contrarily or contrary:
- ________ to popular belief, not all cats hate water.
- ________ to what she said, I did not steal her pen.
- ________ to his usual behavior, he was very quiet during the meeting.
- ________ to his promises, he did not show up on time.
Answer Key:
- Contrary
- Contrary
- Contrarily
- Contrary
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
- ________ to popular belief, not all dogs like bones.
- Contrary
- Contrarily
- ________ to what she said, I did not steal her phone.
- Contrary
- Contrarily
- ________ to his usual behavior, he was very talkative during the party.
- Contrary
- Contrarily
- ________ to his promises, he showed up on time.
- Contrary
- Contrarily
Answer Key:
- a) Contrary
- a) Contrary
- b) Contrarily
- a) Contrary
These practice exercises can help readers improve their understanding and use of contrarily and contrary in sentences. By providing answer keys or explanations for each exercise, readers can check their work and learn from their mistakes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between contrarily and contrary is crucial for effective communication. The two words may sound similar, but they have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.
Contrarily is an adverb that means in a way that is opposite to what has been said or done before. It is used to show a contrast or contradiction between two ideas or actions. On the other hand, contrary is an adjective that means opposite in nature, direction, or meaning. It is used to describe something that is completely different or opposite to something else.
It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and misinterpretation. Using the wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence or make it unclear.
Key Takeaways
- Contrarily is an adverb that means in a way that is opposite to what has been said or done before.
- Contrary is an adjective that means opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.
- Contrarily and contrary cannot be used interchangeably.
- Using the wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence or make it unclear.
By understanding the difference between contrarily and contrary, you can improve your grammar and language use. It is important to continue learning and expanding your knowledge of the English language.
Thank you for reading and happy writing!
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.