express opposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express opposition" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing disagreements or contrasting viewpoints in various contexts, such as debates, essays, or formal discussions. For example: "The committee decided to express opposition to the proposed policy changes." Alternative expressions include "voice dissent" and "articulate disagreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Most American politicians still express opposition to gay marriage.

The New York Times

The CME Group is a candidate to express opposition.

The New York Times

In most of the region, political parties openly express opposition views.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are many places to express opposition to the Iraq war.

The New York Times

The symbolic vote would express opposition to US involvement in a global climate agreement.

The Guardian

Many users have posted comments to voice praise or express opposition to the Facebook page.

The Guardian

Last week he was among a group that met with the governor to express opposition.

The New York Times

About 4 in 10 said one reason for supporting a Republican for Congress was "to express opposition to Barack Obama".

The New York Times

This month, Brazil's Catholic bishops organised a "plebiscite", inviting the public to express opposition to the proposed accord.

The Economist

Many Sunnis are expected to boycott the vote, either to express opposition to the process or for fear of reprisals.

The Guardian

We did not go for a fight but to express opposition through the time-honoured tradition of a march.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with the preposition "to" when specifying the target of the disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "express opposition" if you simply mean that someone is against something in principle without any communicative action. In those cases, the direct verb "oppose" is more concise. For example, use "They oppose the law" for a general stance, but "They met the governor to express opposition" when a specific meeting took place to voice that stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express opposition" functions as a transitive verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it typically consists of the verb "express" followed by the noun "opposition", often followed by the preposition "to". It acts as a formal predicate to describe the act of articulating a stance against something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "express opposition" is a vital phrase in formal English for describing the act of communicating dissent. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and highly authoritative construction, particularly within News & Media and Scientific discourse. It is most frequently used with the preposition "to" and serves as a more descriptive alternative to the simple verb "oppose". Whether used in political reporting or academic analysis, it remains a reliable tool for writers seeking precision and a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voice dissent

Uses a more vocal metaphor, often implying a break from a consensus.

declare opposition

Suggests a formal announcement or a definitive public stance.

articulate disagreement

More academic and suggests a detailed explanation of the reasons for opposing.

register a protest

Suggests a more formal or bureaucratic process of making opposition official.

state an objection

Common in legal or meeting contexts where specific points are being challenged.

signal disapproval

Less direct, implying the use of cues or indicators rather than a direct statement.

manifest resistance

Implies that the opposition is becoming visible through actions or patterns.

convey hostility

Much stronger and suggests an emotional or aggressive form of opposition.

show defiance

Implies a refusal to obey authority rather than just a difference of opinion.

record a negative vote

The most literal and formal way to show opposition in a legislative context.

FAQs

How do I use "express opposition" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a formal act of disagreement, such as: "Several community leaders met with the mayor to "express opposition" to the new development project".

What is a more concise way to say "express opposition"?

Depending on the context, you can simply use the verb "oppose" or "object".

Is it "express opposition to" or "express opposition against"?

The most common and standard preposition is "to". While you might occasionally see "against", Ludwig's examples show that "express opposition to" is the preferred idiomatic choice in professional English.

Can I say "voice opposition" instead?

Yes, "voice opposition" is a perfectly acceptable and slightly more idiomatic alternative often used in news reporting.