11/05/17 The Difference between ‘On the contrary’ and ‘On the other hand’

The Difference between On the contrary and On the other hand

These two phrases are very often confused.
In modern English, on the contrary is used to contradict – to say that what has been said is not true. If we want to give the other side of a question, we use on the other hand, not on the contrary.
Compare:
  • “I suppose the job wasn’t very interesting?” “On the contrary, it was fascinating. I loved it.”
  • The job wasn’t very interesting, but on the other hand it was well paid. (NOT … on the contrary, it was well paid.)

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