contradiction

[k8_doran]

Could you please tell me what contradiction is and also give an example? Thank you

[Morrisonker]

A contradiction is when something is the direct opposite of what someone says or means. For example, if someone said, 'I'm pro-choice but abortions should be made illegal' they would be contradicting themselves because they've just said two opposing arguments in the same sentence and said they support them both.

You know what? It's quite hard to describe. Look it up in the dictionary, that'll probably give you the best example.

[Xollob]

You can have a look at this Wikipedia article but you may wish you never asked. My brain started hurting about half-way down.

[Loosehead]

It also means to take the opposing view for the sake of it. As in the famous Monty Python sketch! "I came in here for an argument you're just contradicting, contradiction isn't argument" " yes it is!"

[landie]

Yes, I definitely will; but I'm not going to.

[k8_doran]

Oh cool, thank you very much for your replies everyone!

[croft-inn]

This is a compound word formed from the prefix "contra" which means against or opposite to, and the root "dictio" which is latin for "phrase or word". So a contradiction is a word or phrase which is opposite to or against another word or phrase. Therefore, if I say this is easy you can contradict what I have said by saying it is difficult.