in opposition

USAGE SUMMARY

"in opposition" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when contrasting two ideas or sides of an argument. For example: "The government proposed a new policy, but the people in the community were firmly in opposition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Englishmen in opposition.

The New York Times - Sports

It worked well in opposition.

Independent

It will remain in opposition.

The Economist

Many black churches remain firmly in opposition.

The New Yorker

Third, how in opposition is purpose refreshed?

The Guardian

Wildlife groups have lined up in opposition.

The New York Times

Laws are established in opposition to stories.

The New Yorker

There were few voices in opposition.

The New Yorker

Congress, when in opposition, used similar tactics.

The Economist

In opposition they formed rival political parties.

The Economist

He spent 16 years in opposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in opposition" to clearly indicate a contrasting viewpoint or resistance to a proposal or idea. It's particularly useful in political, legal, or philosophical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in opposition" when simpler alternatives like "against" or "opposed to" suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in opposition" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate a state of disagreement or resistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used to express conflicting viewpoints across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in opposition" is a prepositional phrase used to express disagreement or resistance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. While versatile, simpler alternatives like "opposed to" or "against" may be preferable in less formal settings. Use "in opposition" to clearly articulate a contrasting viewpoint, particularly in political or legal contexts. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposed to

Direct synonym indicating disagreement or resistance.

against

Simple preposition indicating disagreement or conflict.

contrary to

Indicates something is the opposite or reverse of something else.

in defiance of

Emphasizes resistance and a challenge to authority.

at odds with

Suggests a state of disagreement or conflict.

in disagreement with

Formal way of stating a lack of consensus or agreement.

in contrast to

Highlights the differences between two things.

resisting

Focuses on the act of actively opposing or fighting against something.

challenging

Implies questioning or disputing the validity or authority of something.

antagonistic towards

Suggests hostility and active opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "in opposition" in a sentence?

You can use "in opposition" to show disagreement with something, as in "The community stood "in opposition" to the new development plan".

What phrases are similar to "in opposition"?

Similar phrases include "opposed to", "against", and "contrary to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "in opposition to" or "opposed to"?

Both "in opposition to" and "opposed to" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "In opposition to" can sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "in opposition" and "in contrast"?

"In opposition" implies disagreement or resistance, while "in contrast" simply highlights differences without necessarily implying conflict. For example, "in opposition" can be used in political context, "in contrast" can be used to show different characteristics.