The phrase "contrary to" is commonly used to indicate a contradiction or opposition to something. It is spelled with a "c" at the beginning, followed by the letters o-n-t-r-a-r-y, and the two-letter word "to." In IPA phonetic transcription, this phrase is pronounced as /ˈkɒntrəri tu:/ or con-truh-ree too. The stress is on the first syllable, which is followed by a schwa sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a long "oo" sound.
Contrary to is a phrase used to express opposition or disagreement between two ideas, actions, opinions, or circumstances. It signifies a contradiction or an opposite quality between two things being compared.
In a literal sense, it refers to the opposite direction, course, or movement from what is expected or generally understood. For example, if something is described as going "contrary to popular belief," it means it is going against what, on the whole, is commonly accepted or believed to be true.
In a figurative sense, contrary to can denote a contradiction or disagreement between two concepts, statements, or viewpoints. It suggests a conflict or inconsistency in ideas or circumstances. For instance, if someone says "contrary to what you might think," they are implying that their following statement contradicts or goes against what the listener might have assumed or expected.
Overall, contrary to serves to emphasize the opposition or divergence between two ideas, actions, opinions, or situations. It indicates a departure from the anticipated or commonly held stance, highlighting discrepancies or incongruities. The phrase helps to convey a sense of contradiction or disagreement and reinforces the idea that there is a significant difference or disparity between the two contrasting elements being compared.
The word contrary originated from the Latin word contrarius, which means opposite or against. It entered the English language in the 14th century.
The preposition to is derived from Old English and has various origins, including the Old English word to, which means in the direction of or in relation to.
So when combined, contrary to means opposite to or against in relation to.