Contradictorily vs. Contradictory — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
Contradictorily is an adverb describing how something is done in a contradicting manner, while contradictory is an adjective that describes something conflicting or inconsistent.
Difference Between Contradictorily and Contradictory
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Contradictorily is used to modify verbs, indicating an action performed in a manner that opposes or denies another statement or reality. Whereas, contradictory directly describes nouns, referring to elements or statements that are mutually opposed or inconsistent. This linguistic distinction highlights their different applications in sentence construction.
In practical usage, contradictorily often appears in contexts where actions or behaviors are being described, especially in terms of their inconsistency or opposition to expected norms. On the other hand, contradictory is typically used to describe ideas, facts, or figures that do not align with each other, often leading to confusion or debate.
The role of contradictorily in a sentence is to explain the manner of an inconsistency, such as speaking or acting against previous statements. Whereas contradictory is more about the state of being in conflict, such as in "contradictory evidence" which refers to information that disproves or challenges other information.
Examples often show contradictorily in literary or formal discussions, enhancing the description of scenes or dialogues with a sense of opposition. On the other hand, contradictory finds frequent use in academic, legal, and scientific texts, where clarity about inconsistencies is crucial.
Understanding the usage of these terms can enhance clarity in communication. Using contradictorily correctly emphasizes the method or approach, whereas using contradictory focuses on the inherent nature of the conflict or opposition in the content being discussed.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adverb
Adjective
Usage
Modifies verbs
Describes nouns
Context
Actions and behaviors
Ideas, statements, characteristics
Example Sentence
"He spoke contradictorily, denying earlier claims."
"Their statements were contradictory."
Implication in Sentence
Describes manner of action
Describes state of being
Compare with Definitions
Contradictorily
In a way that seems self-contradictory.
The politician spoke contradictorily, supporting both sides of the argument.
Contradictory
Inconsistent with stated facts or conditions.
His account was contradictory, clashing with known facts.
Contradictorily
Describing a contradictory manner or approach.
His instructions were delivered contradictorily, leaving everyone baffled.
Contradictory
Involving contradiction.
Her statement was contradictory to the evidence provided.
Contradictorily
In a manner that denies or contradicts something.
He answered contradictorily, confusing the audience.
Contradictory
Exhibiting contradiction in terms or ideas.
Their plans for the project were contradictory, lacking a unified direction.
Contradictorily
Acting in opposition to the previous or expected condition.
She behaved contradictorily, smiling during the sad scene.
Contradictory
Leading to logical contradiction.
The theories proposed were contradictory, making it hard to draw conclusions.
Contradictorily
Indicating contradiction in terms of action or response.
She reacted contradictorily, agreeing first and disagreeing moments later.
Contradictory
Mutually opposed or inconsistent.
The reports were contradictory, each suggesting different outcomes.
Contradictorily
Involving, of the nature of, or being a contradiction
Contradictory reports about the vaccine's effectiveness.
Contradictory
Mutually opposed or inconsistent
The two studies came to contradictory conclusions
Contradictorily
Given to contradicting
The contradictory council members often ended up squabbling.
Contradictory
A contradictory proposition.
Contradictorily
Either of two propositions related in such a way that it is impossible for both to be true or both to be false.
Contradictory
Involving, of the nature of, or being a contradiction
Contradictory reports about the vaccine's effectiveness.
Contradictorily
In a contradictory manner
She said not to come over, but then she contradictorily demanded I come get her.
Contradictory
Given to contradicting
The contradictory council members often ended up squabbling.
Contradictorily
In a contradictory manner.
Contradictory
Either of two propositions related in such a way that it is impossible for both to be true or both to be false.
Contradictorily
In a contradictory manner;
He argued contradictarily
Contradictory
That contradicts something, such as an argument.
Contradictory
That is itself a contradiction.
Contradictory
That is diametrically opposed to something.
Contradictory
Mutually exclusive.
Contradictory
Tending to contradict or oppose, contrarious.
Contradictory
(logic) Either of a pair of propositions, that cannot both be true or both be false.
Contradictory
Affirming the contrary; implying a denial of what has been asserted; also, mutually contradicting; inconsistent.
Contradictory
Opposing or opposed; repugnant.
Schemes . . . contradictory to common sense.
Contradictory
A proposition or thing which denies or opposes another; contrariety.
It is common with princes to will contradictories.
Contradictory
Propositions with the same terms, but opposed to each other both in quality and quantity.
Contradictory
Two propositions are contradictories if both cannot be true (or both cannot be false) at the same time
Contradictory
Of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true and both cannot be false;
`perfect' and `imperfect' are contradictory terms
Contradictory
That confounds or contradicts or confuses
Contradictory
In disagreement;
The figures are at odds with our findings
Contradictory attributes of unjust justice and loving vindictiveness
Contradictory
Unable to be both true at the same time
Common Curiosities
Can contradictorily and contradictory be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably because they belong to different parts of speech and serve different roles in sentences.
Provide an example of contradictory used in a sentence.
"The eyewitness accounts were contradictory, each differing significantly in detail."
Give an example of how contradictorily might be used in a sentence.
"He spoke contradictorily, seemingly agreeing yet subtly opposing the idea."
Where might one typically find the use of contradictory?
Contradictory is commonly used in academic, scientific, and legal texts where precise descriptions of inconsistencies are needed.
What is a common mistake made when using contradictorily?
A common mistake is using contradictorily as an adjective instead of as an adverb.
What does contradictory typically modify?
Contradictory modifies nouns, describing attributes or states that are in opposition.
What impact does using contradictory incorrectly have on a sentence?
Incorrect use can lead to confusion about whether a description refers to actions or inherent qualities.
What type of speech is contradictorily?
Contradictorily is an adverb.
What is the primary usage difference between contradictorily and contradictory?
Contradictorily is used as an adverb to describe how something is done, whereas contradictory is an adjective used to describe something that is conflicting.
Is contradictorily common in everyday language?
Contradictorily is less common in casual speech and more often found in formal or literary contexts.
Is contradictory suitable for describing behavior?
While it can describe behavior indirectly by describing traits, it is more suited to discussing inherent qualities or statements.
How can one easily distinguish between contradictorily and contradictory?
Remembering that contradictorily modifies actions (verbs) and contradictory modifies characteristics or states (nouns) can help distinguish their uses.
Are there any synonyms that can replace contradictorily or contradictory without changing the meaning?
For contradictorily, "inconsistently" could be a synonym; for contradictory, "conflicting" could be used, though nuances may vary slightly.
How does understanding these terms improve communication?
Knowing the difference enhances the accuracy and clarity of expressing opposing or inconsistent ideas and actions.
Can contradictorily be used in legal documents?
Yes, contradictorily can be used in legal documents to describe actions or behaviors that are contradictory to established facts or testimony.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
