Aug 16, 2007 20:13
16 yrs ago
English term
Germany
US-educated, precise & thorough
Native in: Russian
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Russian
for a contrary
English
Science
Mathematics & Statistics
Hi all,
In proofreading a math article I came across this construction:
Since blah is blah, we conclude that blah-blah.
Assume, for a contrary, that blah-blah-blah.
I'm wondering if "for a contrary" is indeed good English grammar.
Thank you in advance!
In proofreading a math article I came across this construction:
Since blah is blah, we conclude that blah-blah.
Assume, for a contrary, that blah-blah-blah.
I'm wondering if "for a contrary" is indeed good English grammar.
Thank you in advance!
Responses
2 hrs
Nik-On/Off
Ukraine
Ukraine
Specializes in field
Ukraine
careful, caring, and perfectionist
Native in: Russian 
, Ukrainian
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Ukrainian to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
Suppose the contrary.
Suppose the contrary: blah-blah
Suppose the contrary, that is, blah-blah
Suppose the contrary, that is, blah-blah
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you all. Unfortunately, it took a Math person to understand my intentions. In the future, I will try to be more accurate with wording my questions."
+4
11 mins
on the other hand / on the contrary
I can't claim to be any authority on scholarly mathematical writing, but I have to say that I have never, in any context, come across such a construction with any meaning.
I think 'on the other hand' would be a much more natural formulation, but if you really feel that is too everyday, then you could simply re-word with a new construction using 'contrary'.
I hope someone more authoritative will join the discussion, but that's my two ha'p'orth, for what it's worth!
Dobry vecher!
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Note added at 17 mins (2007-08-16 20:31:09 GMT)
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It is conceivable, then, that 'contrary' might be being used as a noun in this specialist context; all I can say is I have never personally encountered this...
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Note added at 19 mins (2007-08-16 20:33:13 GMT)
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NS OED does indeed list this noun use, though is silent on the question of what preposition it is used with; I'd have expected 'as a contrary' if anything, but I'm really out of my depth here!
I think 'on the other hand' would be a much more natural formulation, but if you really feel that is too everyday, then you could simply re-word with a new construction using 'contrary'.
I hope someone more authoritative will join the discussion, but that's my two ha'p'orth, for what it's worth!
Dobry vecher!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2007-08-16 20:31:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
It is conceivable, then, that 'contrary' might be being used as a noun in this specialist context; all I can say is I have never personally encountered this...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2007-08-16 20:33:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
NS OED does indeed list this noun use, though is silent on the question of what preposition it is used with; I'd have expected 'as a contrary' if anything, but I'm really out of my depth here!
Note from asker:
| This is a technique called "proof by contradiction". "A contrario" in Latin. You assume the opposite of your statement and prove it's false. Therefore, your statement must be true. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
TrueBaller
: I agree with Tony. Never seen "for a contrary" till now.
16 mins
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Thanks, Mimoza!
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| agree |
Jack Doughty
1 hr
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Thanks, Jack!
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| agree |
Hakki Ucar
9 hrs
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Thanks, Hakki!
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| agree |
GaryG
9 days
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Thanks, Gary!
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30 mins
David Litchfield
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
United Kingdom
Related KudoZ points
:
4
for the contrary case
As you are proofreading, it's possible the writer meant to say 'for the contrary case' and wished to present the assumption for the alternative scenario.
1 hr
For a contrary proposition, assume...
One way to do it (actually I should ask my daughter, but it's too late in the evening now).
By the way, in googling some possible wordings I found an absolutely hilarious site that I just have to share with you. I'm still giggling...
sample:
Looking for the sake of a contrary sizing? Copy the make of this mathematical product free from of the weak glue info, library paste it into the look package and go.
http://inpcars.com/racing-helmets-and-accessories/144.html
By the way, in googling some possible wordings I found an absolutely hilarious site that I just have to share with you. I'm still giggling...
sample:
Looking for the sake of a contrary sizing? Copy the make of this mathematical product free from of the weak glue info, library paste it into the look package and go.
http://inpcars.com/racing-helmets-and-accessories/144.html
Discussion
This is the beginning of a proof by contradiction. (You assume the opposite of your statement and prove it's false. Therefore, your statement must be true.)
The assumption of the statement opposing the theorem statement starts with the word 'Assume'.
So, it presents an "alternative scenario", as David put it, only to the extent allowed by this technique.