au contraire

Meaning

Reverses what was just said: the second fact is the opposite of the first.

Position and punctuation

at the start of the sentence · a comma after

Example

Cette réforme n'a pas simplifié les démarches ; au contraire, elle en a ajouté deux.

This reform did not simplify the process; on the contrary, it added two more steps.

In the DELF

the B2 essay · the B2 oral presentation

The trap

Au contraire requires the previous sentence to be NEGATIVE or challenged: it reverses, it does not compare. To compare two equally true facts, use en revanche.