contrast

contrast

1. Contrast is pronounced with stress on the first syllable as a noun and on the second syllable as a verb.

2. In current use, the verb is normally constructed with with or and, and is used transitively and intransitively:

• Data is sometimes contrasted with information, which is said to result from the processing of data —J. Chandor, 1970

• Some anthropologists have sought to contrast the ‘guilt cultures’ of Western Europe with ‘shame cultures’ —A. Giddens, 1977.

• Last night's crisis at the BBC contrasted with the sense of heartfelt relief inside No 10 —Guardian Unlimited, 2004 [OEC].

3. The noun can be followed by to, with, or between, and is also used in the fixed expressions by contrast and in contrast (to or with):

• Gloria would have been able to detect few noteworthy points of contrast between sexual arousal and rabies —Martin Amis, 1973

• In contrast, the heaviest elements of the same groups…are metallic or semimetallic —D. M. Adams, 1974

• Marx, by contrast, has a single-cause theory: all the evils of society arise from private property —P. Johnson, 1977

• Expenditure on the justice system presents a stark contrast with the swingeing cutbacks of other areas in the public sector —M. Brake, 1992

• In contrast to alcohol, smoking is more likely to be toxic in any dose —Daily Mail, 2007.