"In contrast to" "In contrast with"

Question

Both are correct idioms as per OG. Does anyone know the difference ?
Reference OG-11th edition- 16- Look at the OE that mentions both "In contrast to" and "In contrast with" to be the correct idioms.

Maple · Answer

good catch!

from a GMAT grammar expert:
"In contrast to" is preferred to "in contrast with," although the latter is not strictly wrong.

gmatapplicant · Answer

I had the same doubt. I had also read that both the idioms are correct.
But in the following question which is the correct answer - D or E?

In Contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.

A) In contrast to the symphonies of Haydn, a much freer use of dissonance is evident in the symphonies of Mahler.
B) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, Mahler uses dissonance much more freely.
C) In Contrast to those of Haydn, the symphonies of Mahler demonstrate a much more free use of dissonance.
D) In contrast to Haydn's symphonies, Mahler's demonstrate a much freer use of dissonance.
E) In contrast with Haydn's symphonies, those of Mahler use dissonance much more freely.

arkadiyua · Answer

D seems the better option to me: the fact that symphonies demostrate the use of something seems preferable to symphonies actually using something.

vinay3 · Answer

This is an old thread, but I think the answer to the question on Mahler Vs Haydn is debatable. Kaplan 800 says the OA is D, and says in contrast with is incorrect, and that it should be in contrast to. However, it is clear from this thread that OG considers both these idioms correct (also confirmed by MGMAT 3rd edition SC pg 187 on idioms). In fact, per MGMAT (3rd edition, SC, Comparisons, Pg 164), More freely is right and Freer is wrong! (adverbs that take -ly form should use more -ly instead of -er form).

So, clearly, the answer should be E and not D. Thoughts? (Especially on the more freely vs much freer part).

So, clearly, the answer should be E and not D. Thoughts? (Especially on the more freely vs much freer part).

gurpreetsingh · Answer

In contrast with is wrongly used here.

Both idioms are correct but they have different meanings.

'contrast' is used as a noun in 'in contrast to' and as a verb in 'contrast with'.

Refer : https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/contrast

vinay3 · Answer

I don't get how contrast is a noun in "in contrast to X, Y" and a verb in "in contrast with X, Y". Even if that were true, it doesn't explain why one idiom is correct and the other isn't correct.

I am pretty sure this is an incorrect explanation in Kaplan 800, but I am wondering if there's some very subtle explanation I am missing here.

JenRugani · Answer

I think I can help clarify the distinction between "more freely" and "much freer" in this question. Remember that adverbs ("more freely") modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. In answer choice E, the adverb is correctly modifying the verb "use."

Adjectives ("much freer") modify nouns. In answer choice D, the adjective is still modifying the word "use," but look closely -- in this construction, "use" is a noun, so the adjective is correct. Tricky!

As many have mentioned, both "in contrast to" and "in contrast with" can be used correctly. The issue with E is, as arkadiyua noted, that symphonies can't actively use anything -- the composers use dissonance, and the symphonies demonstrate that use.

Hope that helps!

tdbostick · Answer

In the question about symphonies, could someone explain why B was the wrong answer? It seems to convey the information the most succinctly, and I can find no grammatical or stylistic errors.

plumber250 · Answer

Hi T.D,

Let me see if I can help.

Here is B

In contrast with  Haydn's symphonies ,  Mahler  uses dissonance much more freely.

I've highlighted the issue.

In all GMAT answers you have to check you are comparing 'apples with apples'. That is to say like with like.

Here you are not you are comparing 'Haydn's symphonies' with 'Mahler' that is to say the work of Haydn, with the person Mahler.

If you change the answer to 'Mahler's symphonies' you would solve this issue.

Does that make sense?

All the best,

James

tdbostick · Answer

Thanks, James! That makes perfect sense. One could also say, "In contrast to Haydn, Mahler uses dissonance much more freely in his symphonies." From a musical standpoint, I'm quite sure these composers intentionally used dissonance and that it didn't just occur by accident.

NewKid123 · Answer

Hi, I understand how 'In contrast to' is correct. E can clearly not be the correct option. I got confused between 'C' and 'D'. Can someone please explain why 'C' is incorrect?

TaN1213 · Answer

"those" is the first pronoun in the sentence and hence expects a preceding noun. Here, 'those' doesn't have a precedent.

jenniferlopez8255 · Answer

The prepositions "in contrast to" and "in contrast with" are both used to show a difference between two things. However, there is a subtle difference in their usage.

"In contrast to" is typically used when the two things being compared are similar in some way, but different in others. For example, you might say "In contrast to the city, the countryside is quiet and peaceful." In this sentence, the city and the countryside are both places, but they are different in terms of their level of noise and peace.

"In contrast with" is typically used when the two things being compared are very different from each other. For example, you might say "In contrast with the other students, she was always prepared for class." In this sentence, the other students and the speaker are both students, but they are very different in terms of their preparedness for class.

In general, it is best to use "in contrast to" when the two things being compared are similar in some way, and "in contrast with" when the two things being compared are very different from each other. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and sometimes it is possible to use either preposition interchangeably.

Here are some examples of how to use "in contrast to" and "in contrast with":

In contrast to the city, the countryside is quiet and peaceful.
In contrast with the other students, she was always prepared for class.
The new design is in contrast to the old one.
The company's values are in contrast with those of its competitors.
The two cultures are in contrast to each other.

"In contrast to" "In contrast with"

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