Identify the relationship before choosing the connector
On the other hand, conversely and by contrast do more than decorate a text: each shows how the second point relates to the first. First decide whether you are presenting another side of an issue, a reverse relationship or a direct comparison between two cases.
Contrast does not require the second point to be an absolute opposite. A decision often involves two different considerations pulling the conclusion in different directions. On the other hand is natural here.
Other connectors, including and, but and however, can also create a grammatical contrast in context. This topic teaches more precise discourse signals; a different grammatical construction is not an error simply because it does not meet an explicitly requested target.
Point A. Connector, + point B.
The city centre is lively. On the other hand, rent is high.
The city centre is lively. On the other hand, rent is high.
The second point adds an important disadvantage to the first advantage; both can be true at the same time.
Demand rose in June. Conversely, waiting times fell.
Demand rose in June. Conversely, waiting times fell.
The second change moves in the opposite direction to the first, giving conversely a clear meaning.
The old process required five forms. By contrast, the new one requires only one.
The old process required five forms. By contrast, the new one requires only one.
The two processes are placed side by side, with their difference deliberately highlighted.
On the other hand: another side of the same issue
On the other hand presents another side of a decision, evaluation or situation. It may introduce a counterargument, a disadvantage after an advantage, or another fact that changes the overall picture.
The full pair on the one hand … on the other hand is useful for explicitly balanced arguments. However, on the other hand often appears alone after the first side has already been stated; there is no need to add on the one hand retrospectively.
If the second part merely adds another advantage pointing in the same direction, moreover or in addition is usually more precise. Still, the connector itself does not make the sentence ungrammatical: assess the visible context and meaning.
(On the one hand,) A. On the other hand, B.
The course is intensive. On the other hand, it finishes in only six weeks.
The course is intensive. On the other hand, it finishes in only six weeks.
The short duration presents another side of the intensive workload and may change the learner’s decision.
On the one hand, the office is close to home. On the other hand, it has no quiet rooms.
On the one hand, the office is close to home. On the other hand, it has no quiet rooms.
The paired form presents the two considerations symmetrically.
Maya works from home. Leo, on the other hand, works at the office.
Maya works from home. Leo, on the other hand, works at the office.
The connector can appear inside the second clause, set off by commas.
Conversely: a genuinely reverse perspective
Conversely means “in the reverse way” or “viewed from the opposite direction.” It is especially precise when directions, roles or conditions are reversed: more ↔ less, stricter ↔ more lenient, or A affects B ↔ B affects A.
Do not use conversely as a universal replacement for however. A minor disadvantage after an advantage does not yet establish a reverse relationship; on the other hand is usually more natural there.
Conversely is an adverbial connector, not a preposition. Do not follow it with a noun phrase using conversely to. It introduces a complete point or occupies a parenthetical position within it.
A changes in one direction. Conversely, B changes in the opposite direction.
When the screen is brighter, battery use rises. Conversely, dimming it reduces power use.
When the screen is brighter, battery use rises. Conversely, dimming it reduces power use.
The second part reverses the same relationship.
Senior staff can mentor new colleagues; conversely, new colleagues can introduce fresh tools.
Senior staff can mentor new colleagues; conversely, new colleagues can introduce fresh tools.
The roles are reversed in terms of who contributes to whom, making conversely appropriate.
The hall is spacious. On the other hand, it has no windows.
The hall is spacious. On the other hand, it has no windows.
This is an advantage and a disadvantage, not a reverse relationship; conversely would signal too strong a connection here.
By contrast: highlighting a difference through direct comparison
By contrast explicitly places two people, places, periods, methods or measures side by side and highlights their difference. It directs readers towards comparison more strongly than merely adding another side.
By contrast is less common than in contrast. As a link between sentences, it can stand alone: By contrast, + a complete point. Before a named comparison target, the standard pattern is by contrast with, not by contrast to.
In contrast to is a normal form, but it uses a different opening. Do not transfer to from in contrast to into by contrast.
A. By contrast, B. / By contrast with + noun phrase, B.
- NP / noun phrase —
- A noun phrase: a noun with its dependent words, such as the new student; the pattern treats it as one group of words.
- noun —
- A word naming a person, thing or idea: student, book, happiness.
The north office is quiet. By contrast, the city office is busy all day.
The north office is quiet. By contrast, the city office is busy all day.
The two offices are compared on the same dimension.
By contrast with the old process, the new one has a single approval stage.
By contrast with the old process, the new one has a single approval stage.
Standard with follows by contrast before the named comparison target.
The first team answered in two hours. In contrast, the second took a full day.
The first team answered in two hours. In contrast, the second took a full day.
In contrast is a more frequent related form; its existence does not make by contrast incorrect.
Sentences, semicolons and commas
To begin a new sentence, put a full stop after the first point, capitalise the connector and follow it with a comma: Point A. By contrast, point B.
A semicolon can also link two independent clauses: Point A; conversely, point B. Do not join two complete clauses with a comma alone; that is a comma splice.
When on the other hand appears parenthetically inside the second clause, it is normally enclosed in two commas. Make sure those commas do not obscure the boundary between independent clauses.
First clause. Connector, second clause. Or: first clause; connector, second clause. Inside a clause: subject, connector, predicate.
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
The basic plan is cheap; on the other hand, it includes no support.
The basic plan is cheap; on the other hand, it includes no support.
The semicolon correctly links two independent clauses.
Costs fell. Conversely, revenue rose.
Costs fell. Conversely, revenue rose.
A comma follows the opening conversely.
Mina prefers email, but Sam prefers calls.
Mina prefers email, but Sam prefers calls.
But is a grammatical conjunction alternative; it does not require a full stop before it.
By contrast or on the contrary?
By contrast compares two different things or situations. On the contrary denies or corrects a preceding assertion: the speaker says that it is untrue and the opposite is true.
If Rory arrives on time and Vicki is late, you are comparing two people: by contrast. If someone assumes an event was terrible but you actually enjoyed it, you are correcting that assumption: on the contrary.
On the other hand does not deny the first point either: both sides may be true. This is the key check: “Am I adding another perspective, or saying the previous statement is false?”
comparison: A. By contrast, B. / correction: Not A. On the contrary, B.
Rory is always on time. By contrast, Vicki is often late.
Rory is always on time. By contrast, Vicki is often late.
We compare two people rather than correct the assertion about Rory.
It wasn't a dull lecture. On the contrary, it was fascinating.
It wasn't a dull lecture. On the contrary, it was fascinating.
The second part directly replaces the rejected evaluation with its opposite.
The role pays well. On the other hand, it involves frequent travel.
The role pays well. On the other hand, it involves frequent travel.
Both facts are true; the second merely adds another side to the decision.
Using the connectors in reports, discussion and your own writing
In a report, by contrast helps compare measures or groups; conversely describes opposite trends; on the other hand balances a recommendation. In every case, the connector must fit the facts rather than a desire to sound formal.
Before writing, ask what the second part actually does. If it changes the angle of evaluation, use on the other hand; if it reverses the relationship, use conversely; if it places two items side by side, use by contrast.
After writing, check three things: both parts are understandable without invented assumptions, punctuation marks the sentence boundary, and the connector does not overstate the contrast.
identify the relationship → choose the connector → check the boundary and comma
The cheaper option reduces costs. On the other hand, it may require more staff time.
The cheaper option reduces costs. On the other hand, it may require more staff time.
The connector balances a practical recommendation.
Higher occupancy raises energy use. Conversely, lower occupancy reduces it.
Higher occupancy raises energy use. Conversely, lower occupancy reduces it.
One relationship is described in two opposite directions.
The weekday service stops at ten. By contrast, the weekend service runs all night.
The weekday service stops at ten. By contrast, the weekend service runs all night.
The two service patterns are compared by operating hours.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:Online meetings save travel time, on the other hand they can feel impersonal.
Correct:Online meetings save travel time. On the other hand, they can feel impersonal.
Do not link two independent clauses with a comma alone; a comma is also needed after the opening connector.
Incorrect:By contrast to the old process, the new one needs only one approval.
Correct:By contrast with the old process, the new one needs only one approval.
After by contrast, standard usage puts with rather than to before a named comparison target.
Incorrect:Costs fell. Conversely revenue rose.
Correct:Costs fell. Conversely, revenue rose.
Set off the initial adverbial connector conversely with a comma.
Incorrect:Conversely to the first team, the second team finished early.
Correct:By contrast with the first team, the second team finished early.
Conversely does not govern a noun phrase with to; this direct comparison requires by contrast with.
Incorrect:It was not a dull lecture. On contrary, it was fascinating.
Correct:It was not a dull lecture. On the contrary, it was fascinating.
The article the is required in the fixed expression on the contrary.