as opposed to using

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as opposed to using" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to contrast two different methods or approaches, highlighting a preference for one over the other. Example: "I prefer to write my essays by hand, as opposed to using a computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But if you think of federal funding as the government buying useful research, as opposed to using research grants as academic welfare, endowment size is incidental.

The Economist

He'd rather walk to the shop as opposed to using satnav.

The Guardian - Film

"Going forward, investors may use E.T.F. products over the long term as opposed to using mutual funds," Mr. Herron said.

The New York Times

Also, the guys in the band sing the effects as opposed to using musical instruments, and it sounds amazing.

The Guardian - Music

And how different is it for you, Benjamin, to work with a composer as opposed to using an existing score?

The New York Times - Arts

"As opposed to using it as a tool to club your political opponents at the expense of people living in your district".

The Guardian - Money

Plus, the domestic agricultural market has contracted significantly; there is not much money to be made in farming (as opposed to using land for leisure activities) these days.

The Guardian

One trick to making mustard is to use cold water to soak the seeds, as opposed to using hot water or simmering them.

The New York Times - Food

This is why we strongly favor a broad and general liberal arts education as opposed to using college to gain competence only in a narrow line of work.

The New York Times

He used theories of mass communication and social behaviour to analyze art, as opposed to using purely formal, material bases of analysis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For their summer beverages, "we had to make sure to buy a bag of ice, as opposed to using our icemaker," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as opposed to using" to clearly contrast two actions or methods, highlighting a deliberate choice between them. This construction strengthens clarity and indicates a conscious preference.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that are unnecessarily wordy by excessively using passive voice alongside "as opposed to using". Instead, opt for a more direct, active voice to convey your intended contrast efficiently and clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as opposed to using" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce a contrasting action or method. Ludwig AI shows it creates a comparison, pointing out a preference. It helps in making distinctions clear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as opposed to using" serves as a versatile tool for expressing contrast and preference in various writing styles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, demonstrating its frequent usage across diverse platforms like news, science, and general writing. While "as opposed to using" is typically neutral in tone, remember to favor alternatives like "in lieu of using" in more formal contexts to add sophistication. By avoiding excessive passive voice constructions, you will keep your sentences clean and direct, making "as opposed to using" an effective way to signal choice and preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather than using

Replaces "as opposed to" with a more direct preference.

instead of using

Indicates a substitution or replacement of one action for another.

in place of using

Highlights the act of substituting one action with another.

as a substitute for using

Formally emphasizes replacing one thing with another.

as an alternative to using

Directly offers the first action as a different option.

rather than make use of

Similar to 'rather than using', but explicitly mentioning 'make use of'.

contrary to using

Emphasizes that the preferred action goes against another action.

in contrast to using

Highlights the differences between the actions being compared.

in lieu of using

A more formal substitution of one thing for another.

avoiding the use of

Focuses on the act of avoiding a particular action.

FAQs

How to use "as opposed to using" in a sentence?

Use "as opposed to using" to present a clear contrast between two actions, emphasizing a preference for one over the other. For example: "I prefer writing by hand, "as opposed to using" a computer".

What can I say instead of "as opposed to using"?

You can use alternatives like "rather than using", "instead of using", or "in place of using" depending on the context.

Is "as opposed to using" formal or informal?

"As opposed to using" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives such as "in lieu of using" might be preferable in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "as opposed to using" and "instead of using"?

Both "as opposed to using" and "instead of using" express contrast. "As opposed to using" can sometimes imply a stronger preference or disagreement than "instead of using", though the difference is often subtle.