A negative signal is a signal that indicates a contradiction between a stated proposition and the source about to be cited. Negative signals are used to admit that contrary arguments exist to whatever is being presented there. By using negative signals, the writer or speaker is able to present a more balanced and nuanced perspective on a topic.
Commonly used negative signals are as follows, in order from mutually exclusive to somewhat contradictory: Contra, But see, and But cf.
[Last updated in July of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]