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Prepositions after adjectives

contradictory to, in, of, with or for?

Contradictory is most commonly followed by to or sometimes with when comparing statements, evidence, or ideas.

Quick answer

Which prepositions go with contradictory?

Contradictory to is the standard pattern for something that conflicts with a rule, statement, or fact. Contradictory with also appears, especially in formal English, with a similar meaning. Phrases with in, of, or for are usually not standard adjective-preposition combinations.

His actions were contradictory to company policy.
The witness's account was contradictory with the evidence.
The data seemed contradictory in several sections.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
contradictory to + noun

Showing conflict with something

Use contradictory to for ideas, actions, or information that conflict with rules, facts, or expectations.

The report is contradictory to earlier findings.
His behaviour was contradictory to his promises.
2
contradictory with + noun

Comparing conflicting statements or evidence

Contradictory with is a formal alternative to contradictory to, especially when comparing two pieces of information.

Her testimony was contradictory with the police record.
The numbers are contradictory with last year's results.
3
contradictory in + area

Describing inconsistency within something

In can introduce the area or part where contradictions appear. It is not a fixed complement selected by contradictory.

The argument is contradictory in several places.
The document becomes contradictory in its final section.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
contradictory to
The decision was contradictory to the agreement.
Standard pattern meaning in conflict with something.
contradictory with
His statement was contradictory with the evidence.
Formal alternative meaning inconsistent with.
contradictory in
The article is contradictory in tone.
In introduces the aspect or area showing contradiction.
contradictory of
The phrase contradictory of the rules sounds unnatural.
Of is not a standard complement after contradictory.
contradictory for
Contradictory for the situation is not idiomatic.
For is generally not used after contradictory in this sense.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using contradictory of

Of is not normally used after contradictory.

✕ His actions were contradictory of the policy. ✓ His actions were contradictory to the policy.

Using contradictory for

For does not normally follow contradictory when expressing conflict.

✕ The result is contradictory for our expectations. ✓ The result is contradictory to our expectations.

Confusing contradictory and contrary

Contrary often describes opposition in a broader sense, while contradictory means directly inconsistent.

✕ The two reports are contrary facts. ✓ The two reports contain contradictory facts.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Her explanation was contradictory ___ the official report.
2. The figures are contradictory ___ earlier data.
3. The article becomes contradictory ___ several sections.

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Frequently asked questions

Is contradictory with correct?

Yes. It is a formal but accepted alternative to contradictory to.

Can contradictory be followed by a clause?

Yes. You can say something is contradictory to what was previously stated.

Is contradictory for ever correct?

It is generally not idiomatic after contradictory when expressing conflict or inconsistency.

calm, in, calm, for, calm, about "candid about" or "candid in"? capable of or in? careful about, with, of, in or on? careless about, with, in, of or on? caribbean in, for, with, to or on? "catastrophic for" or "catastrophic to"? "cautious about" or "cautious in"? celtic in, for, on, at or to? central to, in, for, at or of? "certain of" or "certain about"? "challenging for" or "challenging of"?

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