differ in opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

'differ in opinion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two people disagree on something. For example, "My sister and I differ in opinion on which movie to watch tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"When men differ in opinion, both sides ought to equally have the advantage of being heard by the publick," he wrote in his "Apology for Printers".

The New York Times

While President Rousseff and Ms. Silva differ in opinion on central-bank independence, there is one aspect of Brazilian economic policy that both support — Bolsa Familia.

University of California, Berkeley

It was to publish a sufficient range of opinion: "Printers are educated in the Belief, that when Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter".

The New Yorker

Beer was examined by the doctor who subsequently treated Virginia Woolf, and she seems to have fallen victim to a practice she had once described as the popular tendency for head doctors "to imprison those from whom they differ in opinion".

The Guardian - Books

Two famous sayings from Ḥadith in favour of ikhtilāf were attributed to the Prophet Muḥammad: "Difference of opinion in the Muslim community is a sign of divine favour"; and "It is a mercy of God that the theologians differ in opinion".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jewish community leaders also differ in opinion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The pity is not that we differ in opinions, but that facts are disregarded, to be subsumed by faith, not in houses of worship but in our body politic.

The New York Times

Like its immediate predecessor, Hodgkin's Disease in Children: Controversies and Current Practice, this volume also deals with the current state of affairs: where do researchers differ in opinions or firmly held beliefs?

Springer

However, the two reports differ in opinions onwhen educational interventions should be prioritised, with the GMR arguing for early engagement and prioritization of education throughout all conflict phases, while the WDR suggested that security and elections be prioritized in the immediate post-conflict period with education receiving less priority until the medium term post-conflict phase.

Unicef

The Métis were determined to fight but differed in opinion about where to make a stand.

Britannica

MIRONOVA: Conflict termination was one area where groups vastly differed in opinion.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ in opinion", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is disagreeing and about what topic to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "differ in opinion" with a singular subject. It implies a contrast between at least two entities. Instead of saying "He differs in opinion," specify who he differs with, or rephrase to something like "He holds a different opinion."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ in opinion" functions as a verb phrase indicating disagreement or divergence in viewpoints among individuals or groups. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ in opinion" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express disagreement or divergence in viewpoints. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While it's suitable for general communication, alternative phrases might be preferred in more formal settings. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and general knowledge contexts, reflecting its broad applicability. Be mindful of using it with plural subjects and ensure clarity in identifying who is disagreeing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagree on a point

Focuses on disagreement regarding a specific matter.

hold opposing views

Highlights the possession of contrasting perspectives.

have conflicting perspectives

Emphasizes the clash between viewpoints.

see things differently

A more general way of saying opinions diverge.

dissent from the majority view

Implies disagreement with a larger group's opinion.

not be of the same mind

Suggests a lack of agreement or consensus.

have different interpretations

Highlights variations in how something is understood.

clash in their viewpoints

Emphasizes a strong disagreement in perspectives.

not see eye to eye

An idiomatic expression for disagreeing.

diverge in their assessments

Focuses on differing evaluations or judgments.

FAQs

How can I use "differ in opinion" in a sentence?

You can use "differ in opinion" to indicate disagreement between two or more parties. For example, "The siblings "differ in opinion" on how to manage their inheritance."

What's a formal alternative to "differ in opinion"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "hold opposing views" or "have conflicting perspectives" as alternatives to ""differ in opinion"".

Is it correct to say "differ on opinion" instead of "differ in opinion"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""differ in opinion"". "Differ on opinion" is grammatically incorrect.

How does "differ in opinion" compare to "disagree with"?

"Differ in opinion" emphasizes the existence of differing viewpoints, while "disagree with" directly highlights the act of not agreeing. "Differ in opinion" focuses on the divergence of views, while disagree with centers on the act of opposition.