What is contradict? Pronunciation and usage in English

contradict means . Learn how to pronounce and use contradict through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of contradict

contradictverb

/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt//ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "contradict" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Most Accurate):

  • /ˌkɒn.trɪˈdɪkt/ (This is the IPA – International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • con: Sounds like "con" as in "connect" – /kɒn/
  • trid: Sounds like "trid" - /trɪd/ (The 'i' is a short 'i' sound, like in "bit")
  • ict: Sounds like "ick" – /ɪkt/ (The 'i' is a short 'i' sound, like in "bit")

2. A More Conversational Breakdown:

  • con: Like "con" as in "connect"
  • trict: This is the tricky part. Here's how to approach it:
    • "trict" – say it quickly and smoothly. It’s almost like a single syllable.
    • Emphasis: Put your emphasis on the second syllable – "trid."

3. Putting it all together:

Think of it as: "con-trict”

4. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't stress the "contra" part: It's often pronounced as a single syllable.
  • Avoid a long "a" sound in "contradict": It shouldn’t sound like “contra-dict.”
  • Don’t over-articulate: It can sound stiff if you try to pronounce every syllable perfectly. Focus on a smooth flow.

Resources for Hearing it Pronounced:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning? (This helps me adjust my explanation.)
  • Is there a particular region's pronunciation you're interested in? (American, British, Australian, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word contradict in English

Let's break down how to use the word "contradict" effectively in English.

1. Core Meaning:

"Contradict" means to state or demonstrate something that conflicts with something else; to deny or disprove. It's essentially saying one thing goes against another.

2. Grammatical Structure:

  • Verb: It's primarily used as a verb.
    • Example: "His statement contradicted the evidence."

3. How to Use It in Different Contexts:

  • Formal Arguments & Debates: This is where you'll most often find "contradict." It's used to point out flaws in reasoning.

    • "The lawyer attempted to contradict the witness's testimony, but failed to provide any credible alternative."
    • "Her proposal contradicted the company's established policies."

  • Describing Statements or Ideas: You can use it to show that two ideas don't align.

    • "The politician's promise of lower taxes contradicted his recent budget cuts."
    • "His words contradicted his actions – he said he cared about the environment, but he regularly drove a large SUV."

  • With "with": Often, “contradict with” is used to emphasize the contrast.

    • “The report contradicted with the initial findings.” (“Contradict with” is slightly more formal).

  • Contradictory Statements: You can describe statements as contradictory.

    • “The two paragraphs presented a contradictory account of the event.”
    • "The situation presented a contradictory set of demands."

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Contradice: (formal)
  • Disprove: (implies demonstrating something is false)
  • Deny: (states something is not true)
  • Refute: (a more forceful form of disproving)
  • Conflict: (suggests a disagreement or opposition)
  • Disagree: (a milder form of opposition)
  • Counter: (to argue against)

5. Important Nuances & Related Words:

  • Contradictory: (adjective) – This describes something that contains contradictions. “The report was full of contradictory statements.”
  • Contradictory evidence: Evidence that opposes or conflicts with other evidence.
  • Self-contradictory: This means something that contradicts itself. “His argument was self-contradictory; he claimed to value honesty but was caught lying.”

6. Example Sentences – Variety:

  • "The detective's investigation contradicted the suspect's alibi."
  • "Her claim that she hadn't been to the store contradicted the security footage."
  • “The new data contradicts the long-held theory about climate change.”
  • “The beauty of the painting contradicted its dark and unsettling subject matter.”

To help me tailor my explanation further, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about (e.g., academic writing, everyday conversation, legal arguments)?
  • Do you have a specific sentence you're trying to use the word in?

Synonyms for the word contradict

Practice with vocabulary contradict

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent data analysis seems to clearly ______ the company's optimistic sales projections for the next quarter.
  2. It's vital for a researcher to remain objective and not let personal biases ______ the scientific findings.
  3. Despite his public support for the new environmental regulations, his private investments often ______ the spirit of those very policies.
  4. After careful review, the committee decided to ______ the previous proposal due to a lack of detailed financial planning.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The witness's testimony appeared to ______ the defendant's alibi, casting doubt on its validity. a) support b) confirm c) contradict d) validate

  2. During the negotiation, the union leaders chose to ______ the proposed wage freeze, arguing it was unfair to their members. a) agree with b) dispute c) accept d) approve of

  3. The company's stated commitment to sustainability seemed to ______ its actual practices, which included significant waste generation. (Select all that apply) a) align with b) contradict c) reinforce d) go against

  4. Activists continue to ______ the construction of the new highway, citing environmental concerns and potential habitat destruction. a) endorse b) oppose c) yield to d) comply with

  5. New archaeological findings ______ the long-held theory about the origins of the ancient civilization, suggesting a much earlier timeline. a) strengthen b) corroborate c) contradict d) uphold

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: What the expert said on the news doesn't match the written report he submitted earlier. Rewrite using "contradict":

  2. Original: The data analysis and the anecdotal evidence present two very different pictures of customer satisfaction. Rewrite using "contradict" or related word forms:

  3. Original: My colleague firmly said no to the idea of extending the project deadline. Rewrite NOT using "contradict":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. contradict
  2. distort
  3. contradict
  4. reject

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) contradict
  2. b) dispute
  3. b) contradict, d) go against
  4. b) oppose
  5. c) contradict

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The expert's statement on the news contradicts the written report he submitted earlier.
  2. The data analysis and the anecdotal evidence present contradictory pictures of customer satisfaction.
  3. My colleague firmly rejected the idea of extending the project deadline.

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