Cool MateContrary vs Far from it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contrary
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Far from it
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ContraryMost common: Contrary
| Contrary | Far from it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntrəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntreri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //fɑː frɒm ɪt//🇺🇸 //fɑr frʌm ɪt// |
| Meaning | opposite in nature or meaning | Not at all true. |
| Example | His contrary opinion surprised everyone at the meeting. | I thought you liked ice cream, but you said it's too sweet? Far from it! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, run, seem, completely, directly, entirely, to, contrary to expectations, contrary to popular belief | far from the truth, far from perfect, far from reality |
| Antonyms | similar, identical, consistent | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Contrary to' vs 'Contrast to' confusions, Using 'contrary' as an adjective without a proper noun, Mixing up with 'contradictory' in meanings | Used in formal settings where it sounds too casual., Confused with similar phrases like 'far from that'., Used with incorrect verb forms, such as 'far from it is'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'contrary' in discussions to express an opposing viewpoint. It's more common in formal writing than in casual conversations. Be cautious when using it in everyday speech, as simpler terms like 'opposite' might be more accessible. | Used to contradict a previous statement. Common in casual conversation; less appropriate in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Contrary vs Far from it
What's the difference between Contrary and Far from it?
Contrary: opposite in nature or meaning Far from it: Not at all true.
Which is more formal: Contrary and Far from it?
Contrary is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Contrary and Far from it?
Contrary is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Contrary: His contrary opinion surprised everyone at the meeting. Far from it: I thought you liked ice cream, but you said it's too sweet? Far from it!
Can I use Contrary and Far from it interchangeably?
Not always. Contrary and Far from it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.