I opposed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I opposed that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disagreement or resistance to a particular idea, action, or proposal. Example: "During the meeting, I opposed that suggestion because I believed it would not benefit our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I opposed that argument because I felt it was unfair to Wales and would have further reduced our share of CAP.

BBC

I opposed that; I argued against it to President Clinton.

Huffington Post

My concerns were when a Labour government led by Tony Blair took us into war in Iraq, I opposed that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I strongly opposed that legislation.

Los Angeles Times

The company's philosophy is not one of openness, and I oppose that wherever I see it.

TechCrunch

I oppose that thought". But on Friday, a lawyer for Whitfield's relatives said that the youth should have been under special mental health supervision.

Los Angeles Times

"I oppose that absolutely, because it is a form of left-wing social engineering". When voters approved funding for the rail system in 2008, it was promoted as nonpartisan.

Los Angeles Times

And Mitt Romney unequivocally opposed that bailout.

The New York Times

I strongly oppose that standpoint.

Critical Care

That is not serving the interests of the British nation in my view and therefore I will oppose that report.

EU Parlament

And in exchange for a temporary extension of the high-income tax breaks -- not a permanent but a temporary extension -- a policy that I opposed but that Republicans are unwilling to budge on, this agreement preserves additional tax cuts for the middle class that I fought for and that Republicans opposed two years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I opposed that", ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken your statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I opposed that" can sound overly direct in some formal situations. Consider using a more nuanced phrase like "I expressed reservations about that" to soften your stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I opposed that" functions as an independent clause expressing disagreement or resistance. It typically introduces a statement clarifying one's stance against a specific action, idea, or proposal. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides multiple real-world examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I opposed that" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express disagreement or resistance. Ludwig's analysis shows it functions as an independent clause, primarily used in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing this phrase, as more nuanced options may be preferable in highly formal settings. Ludwig confirms the phrase is appropriate for use in written English, offering several real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I disagreed with that

Replaces "opposed" with a more general term, "disagreed", maintaining a similar level of formality.

I was against that

Uses a prepositional phrase instead of a verb, making the sentence slightly less formal.

I was not in favor of that

Expresses opposition in a more formal and nuanced way.

I objected to that

Replaces "opposed" with "objected", which conveys a stronger sense of disapproval.

I spoke out against that

Emphasizes the act of publicly expressing opposition.

I resisted that

Implies a more active form of opposition, suggesting effort was put into preventing something.

I fought against that

Suggests a strong and determined effort to prevent something.

I didn't support that

Presents a more neutral stance, simply stating a lack of support.

I rejected that idea

Focuses on the rejection of a specific idea, rather than a general opposition.

My view was contrary to that

Highlights the difference in perspective or opinion.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I opposed that"?

You can use alternatives like "I disagreed with that", "I was against that", or "I objected to that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I opposed to that"?

No, the correct phrasing is "I opposed that". The verb "oppose" does not require the preposition "to" in this construction.

What's the difference between "I opposed that" and "I was opposed to that"?

"I opposed that" uses "oppose" as a verb, directly stating your disagreement. "I was opposed to that" uses "opposed" as an adjective, describing your state of being. Both are correct, but the first is more direct.

How formal is the phrase "I opposed that"?

The phrase "I opposed that" is generally considered neutral in formality. While acceptable in most contexts, consider using alternatives like "I expressed reservations" in highly formal settings.