Explanation at your level:
When you say 'no' to someone, you contradict them. If I say 'It is hot' and you say 'No, it is cold,' you contradict me. It is like saying the other person is wrong.
To contradict means to say the opposite of what someone else said. For example, if a teacher says the test is tomorrow, but you say it is next week, you contradict the teacher. It is used when two people have different facts.
In English, we use contradict to point out that two statements cannot both be true. It is common in arguments or when checking facts. If a witness says they were home, but a video shows them at the store, the video contradicts the witness.
The verb contradict is often used in formal or academic writing to challenge a claim. You might write, 'The new data contradicts the previous theory.' It implies a logical flaw or a mismatch between two pieces of information, which is a key skill in critical thinking and debate.
Beyond simple disagreement, contradict is used to highlight systemic or logical inconsistencies. In high-level discourse, you might describe how a person's values contradict their behavior. It is a sophisticated way to address hypocrisy or the inherent tension between opposing ideas in literature and philosophy.
Etymologically rooted in the Latin contradictio, the word carries a weight of authority. It is frequently employed in legal, scientific, and philosophical contexts to denote the impossibility of two propositions coexisting. Mastering this word allows for precise articulation of logical fallacies, enabling the speaker to dismantle arguments by identifying the point where evidence fails to support the premise.
30초 단어
- Means to say the opposite of a statement.
- Used when two things cannot both be true.
- Often used in formal and academic contexts.
- It is a transitive verb (needs an object).
When you contradict someone, you are essentially saying that their version of reality is wrong. It is a powerful word often used in debates, legal settings, or even simple arguments between friends.
Think of it as a clash of ideas. If I say the sky is green and you say the sky is blue, you are contradicting me. It is important to remember that this word implies a direct conflict. It is not just about having a different opinion; it is about stating that the other person's claim is factually incorrect.
Beyond just words, actions can also contradict each other. For example, if a company claims to be eco-friendly but dumps waste into a river, their actions contradict their public statement. This creates a sense of hypocrisy or logical inconsistency that is very common in news and political discourse.
The word contradict has deep roots in Latin. It comes from the combination of contra (meaning 'against') and dicere (meaning 'to speak'). Put them together, and you get 'to speak against.'
It entered Middle English via the Old French word contredire. Historically, it was used in formal and legal contexts to describe the act of speaking against a decree or a claim. Over the centuries, it kept its core meaning of 'speaking against,' but it expanded to include the idea of things—not just people—being in opposition.
Interestingly, the root dicere is the same ancestor for words like 'dictate,' 'dictionary,' and 'predict.' It is fascinating to see how the simple act of 'speaking' forms the basis for so many complex English verbs we use today.
You will often hear contradict used in formal settings like courtrooms or academic papers. People often say 'the evidence contradicts the witness's statement' to show that facts don't align.
In casual conversation, it can sound a bit confrontational. If you tell a friend, 'You are contradicting yourself,' you are pointing out that they said two different things that don't match up. It is a very direct way to call out an inconsistency.
Common collocations include directly contradict, flatly contradict, and seem to contradict. These adverbs help soften or strengthen the impact of the statement depending on how sure you are about the inconsistency.
While 'contradict' is a standard verb, it is often associated with idioms about conflict. 1. To eat one's words: To admit you were wrong after contradicting someone. 2. At odds with: When two things contradict each other, they are 'at odds.' 3. To play devil's advocate: To contradict someone just for the sake of the argument. 4. Cross-examine: A legal term where you force someone to contradict their own story. 5. A house divided: A situation where internal contradictions lead to failure.
Contradict is a regular verb. Its past tense is contradicted and its present participle is contradicting. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes an object (e.g., 'He contradicted her').
The pronunciation is /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt/ in British English and /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt/ in American English. The stress is on the final syllable. It rhymes with words like predict, addict (as a verb), and verdict (though the stress differs). Pay attention to the 't' sounds; they should be crisp and clear to ensure the word is understood correctly.
Fun Fact
The root 'dicere' is the origin of the word 'dictionary'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'con-truh-dikt'
Sounds like 'kahn-truh-dikt'
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress on the first syllable
- Dropping the 't' in the middle
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Needs precision
Can be confrontational
Common in news
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
He contradicted her.
Reflexive Pronouns
He contradicted himself.
Present Participle
He is contradicting me.
Examples by Level
He does not contradict me.
He / does not / say / I / am / wrong.
Simple present tense.
Do not contradict your mother.
Do / not / say / your / mother / is / wrong.
Imperative mood.
She contradicted her friend.
She / said / the / opposite / of / her / friend.
Past tense.
They contradict the facts.
They / say / the / opposite / of / the / truth.
Plural subject.
Don't contradict the teacher.
Don't / argue / with / the / teacher.
Contraction.
The story contradicts itself.
The / story / has / two / different / parts.
Reflexive pronoun.
Did he contradict you?
Did / he / say / you / were / wrong?
Interrogative.
I will not contradict him.
I / am / not / going / to / disagree.
Future tense.
The evidence contradicts the report.
He hates to be contradicted.
Your actions contradict your words.
She contradicted his version of events.
They often contradict each other.
The data seems to contradict the theory.
Please do not contradict me in public.
The two accounts contradict each other.
The witness statement contradicts the police report.
It is rude to contradict your elders.
The findings contradict previous research.
His behavior contradicts his stated values.
The two studies contradict one another.
I don't mean to contradict you, but I think you're wrong.
The map contradicts the GPS directions.
The evidence contradicts his alibi.
The article contains information that contradicts itself.
The senator's voting record contradicts his campaign promises.
Science often progresses when new data contradicts old theories.
She was careful not to contradict the CEO during the meeting.
The witness's testimony was contradicted by the surveillance footage.
His calm tone contradicted the panic in his eyes.
The study's results directly contradict the initial hypothesis.
It is difficult to contradict such a well-researched argument.
The inherent irony is that his silence contradicts his earlier protestations.
The report serves to contradict the prevailing narrative of economic stability.
One must be careful not to contradict the established legal precedent.
The artist's style contradicts the traditional norms of the era.
The subtle nuances of the text contradict the simplistic interpretation.
The data points are so scattered they contradict any clear trend.
His philosophy seems to contradict the very reality he describes.
The evidence is too strong to be contradicted by mere opinion.
The paradox of the situation is that his virtues contradict his fatal flaw.
The manuscript's internal logic is contradicted by the final chapter's revelations.
To contradict the dogma of the time was a dangerous endeavor.
The empirical evidence unequivocally contradicts the speculative model.
His life's work stands as a testament that contradicts the cynical view.
The sheer volume of testimony contradicts the defense's claims.
The findings contradict the long-held axioms of the field.
The narrative structure contradicts the linear progression of time.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"at odds with"
in conflict with
His actions are at odds with his words.
neutral"eat one's words"
to admit you were wrong
He had to eat his words after being proven wrong.
casual"play devil's advocate"
to argue the opposite side
I'm just playing devil's advocate here.
neutral"cross swords"
to argue or fight
We crossed swords over the budget.
casual"be in denial"
refusing to accept the truth
He is in denial about the situation.
neutral"set the record straight"
to correct a false statement
I want to set the record straight.
neutralEasily Confused
Both start with C
Contrast is for comparison; contradict is for truth/logic.
Contrast the two books; don't contradict the author.
Both involve disagreement
Deny is to say something is false; contradict is to provide the opposite.
He denied the crime; the evidence contradicts him.
Similar meaning
Refute implies proving something is false.
I can refute your point with facts.
Both mean against
Oppose is about opinion; contradict is about facts.
I oppose the plan; your facts contradict mine.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + contradict + object
The facts contradict his story.
Subject + contradict + oneself
He tends to contradict himself.
It is + adjective + to contradict + object
It is rude to contradict the teacher.
Subject + seem to contradict + object
These results seem to contradict the report.
Evidence + contradict + statement
The evidence contradicts the witness statement.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Contradict implies a logical impossibility, not just a difference.
Contradict is transitive; it doesn't need 'with'.
Contrast is about comparison; contradict is about truth.
Contradict is for statements, theories, or evidence.
You can contradict someone by mistake or with facts.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a courtroom where a lawyer says 'I object!'—that is a contradiction.
When Native Speakers Use It
When pointing out a mistake in someone's story.
Cultural Insight
In some cultures, contradicting someone directly is considered very disrespectful.
Grammar Shortcut
Never use 'with' after contradict.
Say It Right
Focus on the 't' sounds to sound clear.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'He contradicted with me.'
Did You Know?
The word has been in English since the 14th century.
Study Smart
Write sentences about your own life to remember it better.
Academic Writing
Use it to introduce counter-arguments.
Debate Etiquette
Always provide evidence when you contradict someone.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Contra (against) + Dict (speak) = Speak against.
Visual Association
A person shaking their head 'no' while someone else is talking.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to find one thing today that contradicts something you heard earlier.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: To speak against
문화적 맥락
Can be perceived as aggressive if used in casual conversation.
Used frequently in legal and academic debates.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- The textbook contradicts the lecture
- Don't contradict the teacher
- My notes contradict yours
at work
- The data contradicts our goals
- The report contradicts the budget
- His actions contradict his promise
in court
- The witness contradicted himself
- The evidence contradicts the alibi
- The defense contradicted the claim
in arguments
- You are contradicting yourself
- That contradicts what you said before
- I don't want to contradict you
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had to contradict someone in a meeting?"
"Do you think it's important to contradict people when they are wrong?"
"What is the most common reason people contradict themselves?"
"Can you think of a time your actions contradicted your words?"
"How do you handle it when someone contradicts you?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were contradicted by someone else.
Describe a situation where a person's actions contradicted their words.
Why do you think people find it hard to admit they are wrong?
Reflect on a time you had to correct someone politely.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문It depends on how you do it. In academic settings, it is fine to point out inconsistencies.
Yes, this is a common way to describe hypocrisy.
Contrast shows difference; contradict shows opposition.
Yes, it follows standard conjugation rules.
No, it is a transitive verb; just use 'contradict'.
Contradiction.
It is neutral but often used in formal contexts.
Yes, this is a very common usage.
셀프 테스트
Do not ___ your parents.
It is rude to say your parents are wrong.
What does contradict mean?
Contradict means to oppose a statement.
Contradicting someone is always polite.
It is often seen as confrontational.
Word
뜻
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
The evidence contradicts his story.
His actions ___ his words.
Actions often contradict words when someone is hypocritical.
Which is a synonym for contradict?
Refute is a formal synonym.
Two facts that contradict each other can both be true.
By definition, they cannot both be true.
The data ___ the initial hypothesis.
Data often contradicts hypotheses in science.
What is the noun form?
Contradiction is the noun.
점수: /10
Summary
To contradict is to speak against a claim, highlighting that two ideas cannot exist as true at the same time.
- Means to say the opposite of a statement.
- Used when two things cannot both be true.
- Often used in formal and academic contexts.
- It is a transitive verb (needs an object).
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a courtroom where a lawyer says 'I object!'—that is a contradiction.
When Native Speakers Use It
When pointing out a mistake in someone's story.
Cultural Insight
In some cultures, contradicting someone directly is considered very disrespectful.
Grammar Shortcut
Never use 'with' after contradict.
예시
It is impolite to contradict your parents while they are explaining the rules.
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