differing opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

"differing opinion" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe two different points of view, particularly when they are seen as opposed to one another. For example, a sentence could be: "The panel had a lively discussion, with each person voicing their differing opinions on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But their most damaging legacy, it concludes, "has been to leave a sector, public, and political parties that are nervy around reform, characterised by differing opinion and mistrust".

The Guardian

To our knowledge, there are only few papers on physiological modifications after decannulation; experts have differing opinion on this topic and so further research and trials are desirable.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

With online communities, people from all different walks of life are able to connect over both shared and differing opinions.

TechCrunch

Subsequent analysis yielded differing opinions.

The New York Times

Experts have differing opinions on the subject.

The New Yorker

Economists will inevitably have differing opinions about that.

The New York Times

Others who knew Mr. Baker had sharply differing opinions.

The New York Times

There are differing opinions on this key social issue across Europe.

The Guardian

There may be differing opinions on the concept of splitting the points – that's completely understandable.

The Guardian - Sport

For all their differing opinions, Mr. Rowe and Mr. Murphy are quite close friends, maybe only because of their age.

The New York Times

I can't recall ever veering so wildly between differing opinions of a novel before.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differing opinion", ensure the context clearly indicates what the opinions diverge on. Providing specific examples or areas of disagreement will strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "differing opinion" without specifying the subject or context of the disagreement. Ensure clarity by immediately stating what the opinions differ on to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differing opinion" functions as a noun phrase, where "differing" modifies "opinion". It describes a situation where multiple viewpoints exist and are not in agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "differing opinion" is a grammatically sound and acceptable phrase used to denote contrasting viewpoints. Although Ludwig indicates it's acceptable, it appears with relative infrequency in the corpus. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, is appropriate for neutral registers, and is primarily found in news and scientific contexts. When employing "differing opinion", clarity is key; specifying the context of disagreement ensures effective communication. Consider using synonyms like "varying viewpoint" or "conflicting perspective" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

varying viewpoint

Highlights the difference in perspectives, less confrontational.

opposing view

Strongly emphasizes the contrast and direct opposition.

distinct opinion

Emphasizes the uniqueness and clarity of different viewpoints.

conflicting perspective

Emphasizes the opposition or clash between viewpoints.

contrasting perspective

Similar to "conflicting perspective" but may be less aggressive.

disagreeing stance

Focuses on a formal disagreement or position.

divergent standpoint

Stresses the point where perspectives begin to separate.

alternative interpretation

Highlights that there is a different way to see things

differing assessment

Focuses on a different evaluation or judgement.

controversial viewpoint

Implying a popular debate on the topic

FAQs

What is another way to say "differing opinion"?

You can use alternatives like "varying viewpoint", "conflicting perspective", or "disagreeing stance" depending on the context.

How does "differing opinion" compare to "different opinion"?

"Differing opinion" emphasizes the active divergence or contrast between opinions, while "different opinion" simply notes that the opinions are not the same. The nuance lies in the emphasis on active disagreement versus passive dissimilarity.

Is it better to say "differing opinions" or "different opinions"?

Both "differing opinions" and "different opinions" are grammatically correct. "Differing opinions" suggests a more active disagreement or variance, while "different opinions" is a more general statement of non-identical viewpoints. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How to use "differing opinion" in a sentence?

You can use "differing opinion" in a sentence like: "Despite their differing opinions on the matter, they remained respectful of each other's views" or "The committee members expressed differing opinions regarding the proposed policy change".