contrary
part of speech
adjective (contrary); noun (the contrary); also «on the contrary»
meaning for a pupil
1) Contrary means opposite or very different: «contrary opinions». tree →
2) «On the contrary» is used to say the opposite is true: «Bored? On the contrary, I loved it». tree →
3) (said «con-TRAIR-ee») A contrary person deliberately does the opposite of what others want. tree →
4) «Contrary to» means against or different from: «contrary to the rules». tree →
sense in the lessons
In arguments, debates and stories «on the contrary» marks disagreement. «Contrary to popular belief» introduces a fact that busts a myth in science. In nursery rhymes «Mary, Mary, quite contrary» describes a stubborn girl. Phrases: on the contrary, contrary to, to the contrary, evidence to the contrary.
examples
- Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. tree →
- «Are you tired?» «On the contrary, I'm full of energy.» tree →
- Running in the corridor is contrary to the rules. tree →
- Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? tree →
- Unless I hear to the contrary, we'll meet at three. tree →
- The two sisters had contrary views. tree →
- "What are you doing, you contrary thief?" said the master. tree →
note
Usually stressed «CON-tra-ry»; in the sense «stubborn» often «con-TRAIR-ee». «On the contrary» answers a statement by saying the opposite; it does not mean «on the other hand».
In the corpora
- And if in spite of these things ye will not be corrected unto Me, but will walk contrary unto Me;
- then will I also walk contrary unto you; and I will smite you, even I, seven times for your sins.
- And if ye will not for all this hearken unto Me, but walk contrary unto Me;
- then I will walk contrary unto you in fury; and I also will chastise you seven times for your sins.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «contrary» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.