Cool MateContrary vs Far from it vs Opposite
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contrary
Far from it
Opposite
| Contrary | Far from it | Opposite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntrəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntreri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //fɑː frɒm ɪt//🇺🇸 //fɑr frʌm ɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒpəzɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːpəzɪt/"]/ |
| Meaning | opposite in nature or meaning | Not at all true. | Something that is completely different from something else. |
| 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! | The opposite of hot is cold. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | 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 | opposite sides, opposite directions, opposite ends |
| Antonyms | similar, identical, consistent | - | same, similar |
| 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'. | 'Opposite' used as a noun instead of an adjective., Confused with 'contradiction' – 'opposite' refers to direct differences., Using 'opposite' with 'to' instead of 'of' (correct: 'opposite of'). |
| 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. | Use 'opposite' when describing two things that contrast each other. It’s suitable in most contexts but avoid in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Contrary vs Far from it vs Opposite
What's the difference between Contrary, Far from it, and Opposite?
Contrary: opposite in nature or meaning Far from it: Not at all true. Opposite: Something that is completely different from something else.
Which is more common: Contrary, Far from it, and Opposite?
Opposite is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Contrary, Far from it, and Opposite?
Contrary is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
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! Opposite: The opposite of hot is cold.
Can I use Contrary, Far from it, and Opposite interchangeably?
Not always. Contrary, Far from it, and Opposite 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.