as opposition to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as opposition to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to express contrast or disagreement with something. Example: "The committee's decision was made as opposition to the proposed changes in policy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Opposition to that bill came to be seen as opposition to its assault-weapons ban.

The New Yorker

You cite the last time as opposition to Mrs Thatcher in the early 1980s.

The Economist

They are strongly moved by such issues as opposition to abortion, says Mr Lozano.

The Economist

Mr. Murdoch, however, killed the deal as opposition to the transaction in Washington mounted.

The New York Times

Morgan says extremism is defined as opposition to fundamental British values.

The Guardian

As opposition to unified audit and consulting businesses mounts, it may have to instigate divorce proceedings all over again.

The Economist

Its critique of raising capital requirements apparently should not be construed as opposition to raising these capital requirements.

The New York Times

As opposition to dams moderates in the West, dam builders may soon find it easier to ignore.

The Economist

But the alliance has been based on a narrow spectrum of issues, such as opposition to abortion and gay marriage.

The Economist

To this it has since added other conservative positions, such as opposition to public deficits and gay marriage.

The Economist

He also linked the attacks to anti-Semitism that he said was disguised as opposition to Israel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "as opposition to" is frequently used, particularly in news media, be aware that it may be perceived as awkward or incorrect in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "as opposition to" in formal writing because it can be perceived as grammatically incorrect or awkward. Opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives like "against" or "in contrast to."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as opposition to" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically indicating a reason or motive rooted in disagreement or resistance. Ludwig indicates that the phrasing is non-standard, and the examples suggest that it often introduces a cause or explanation for an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as opposition to" is frequently encountered, particularly in News & Media sources, Ludwig indicates that it is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It functions as a prepositional phrase to express a reason based on disagreement, yet its awkward phrasing can detract from clarity. For formal writing, alternatives such as "as opposed to" or "in contrast to" are recommended to avoid potential misinterpretations or perceptions of incorrect grammar. Despite its common usage, be mindful of the context and audience when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as opposed to

Emphasizes a direct contrast between two things; more standard and grammatically sound.

in contrast to

Highlights a clear difference; suitable for formal contexts where direct comparison is needed.

against

A simple and direct preposition indicating disagreement or resistance.

as a counter to

Suggests a deliberate action taken to neutralize or negate something.

by way of opposition to

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing disagreement.

in defiance of

Highlights a rebellious or resistant stance.

contrary to

Indicates something that is the opposite or very different.

in disagreement with

Expresses a lack of consensus or alignment.

as a stand against

Implies a principled objection or resistance.

challenging

Indicates questioning or disputing the validity or correctness of something.

FAQs

What phrases can replace "as opposition to"?

Alternatives include "as opposed to", "in contrast to", or simply "against", depending on the specific context. These options are generally considered more grammatically sound.

Is "as opposition to" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, particularly in news and media, "as opposition to" is often considered grammatically awkward. It's advisable to use more standard alternatives in formal writing.

How does "as opposition to" differ from "as opposed to"?

As opposed to is a more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase for indicating contrast or disagreement. "As opposition to" is less standard and may sound awkward to some readers.

When is it appropriate to use "as opposition to"?

While not recommended for formal writing, "as opposition to" might be acceptable in informal contexts or news reporting where a more conversational tone is used. However, always consider whether a clearer alternative like "against" or "in contrast to" would be more effective.