All 8 Uses of
contrary
in
Great Expectations
- "Lord bless the boy!" exclaimed my sister, as if she didn't quite mean that but rather the contrary.†
Chpt 2 *
- But she did not; on the contrary, she seemed to prefer my being ignorant.†
Chpt 12 (definition 1) *
- If on the contrary you mean to say—†
Chpt 18 (definition 1)
- I acquiesced, of course, knowing nothing to the contrary.†
Chpt 24 (definition 2) *
- "On the contrary," said he, "I thank you, for though we are strictly in our private and personal capacity, still it may be mentioned that there are Newgate cobwebs about, and it brushes them away."†
Chpt 37 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, I saw him next moment, once more holding out both his hands to me.†
Chpt 39 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, it would have been better, for his preservation would then have naturally and tenderly addressed my heart.†
Chpt 39 (definition 1)
- I was aware that Mr. Wopsle had not succeeded in reviving the Drama, but, on the contrary, had rather partaken of its decline.†
Chpt 47 (definition 1)
Definitions:
-
(1) (on the contrary as in: on the contrary) an expression used to intensify denial of an ideaeditor's notes: More rarely, on the contrary is used to oppose an idea contained in what was just said rather than to oppose what was literally said. Here is an example: "I will not pay you for the work. On the contrary, I may sue you for damages." Suing for damages does not oppose not paying, but it does oppose the idea of paying.
-
(2) (to the contrary as in: to the contrary) with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
-
(contrary as in: a contrary idea) different (perhaps opposite or mutually exclusive)editor's notes: In formal logic, contrary propositions or contrary arguments describe two things that cannot both be true. They might be described as mutually exclusive. For example, a pet cannot be both a cat and a dog. It doesn't need to be either, but if it is one, it cannot be the other. So the statement that a pet is a cat and the statement that the same pet is a dog, are contrary statements.