it was opposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was opposed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that faced resistance or disagreement in the past. Example: "The proposal was put forward, but it was opposed by several members of the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was opposed by 95 Democrats and 133 Republicans.

The New York Times

The Pakistani government, in a statement from its foreign ministry, said it was "opposed to all forms of terrorism including hijacking".

The New York Times

The 2005 rule was never widely implemented, however, because it was opposed by the N.C.A.A., which advised its members to ignore it.

The New York Times - Sports

It was opposed by Arab nations.

The New York Times

It was opposed by 66 Democrats and 6 Republicans.

The New York Times

She said officials who supported Westway don't seem to understand why it was opposed.

The New Yorker

It was opposed by the Free Democrats and an old guard of cold-war defence buffs.

The Economist

It was opposed by many senior faculty members, administrators and university trustees.

The New York Times

And it was opposed by every single senator at the time who now seeks higher office.

The New York Times

It was opposed by the chemical industry, which uses a lot of natural gas and wants to keep it cheap.

The New York Times

The New York Times reported that it was opposed by both conservative and liberal groups for various reasons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was opposed", ensure that the subject being opposed is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Consider adding details about the reasons for the opposition for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was opposed" without specifying what "it" refers to. Provide a clear subject for the sentence to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was opposed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received opposition. This construction is widely used to describe situations where a proposal, idea, or action faced resistance, as exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was opposed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates resistance or disagreement. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias and science, with neutral tone making it suitable for formal and informal communication. To maximize clarity, always specify what 'it' refers to. Consider semantically similar alternatives to enrich your writing, such as "it faced opposition" or "it was resisted". Overall, this phrase is a reliable way to describe situations where a subject encountered resistance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was resisted

Emphasizes the act of actively fighting against something.

it faced opposition

Uses a slightly stronger verb to convey resistance.

it was rejected

Indicates a more decisive negative outcome.

it met with resistance

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction focusing on the reception of something.

there was resistance to it

Rephrases using an existential construction to emphasize the existence of opposition.

it encountered disapproval

Highlights a lack of support or agreement.

it failed to gain acceptance

Focuses on the inability to be widely approved.

it drew criticism

Focuses on the negative feedback received.

it was unwelcome

Implies that something was not desired or appreciated.

it sparked controversy

Highlights the divisive nature of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "it was opposed" in a sentence?

Use "it was opposed" to describe situations where something faced resistance. For example, "The new law was proposed, but "it was opposed" by several senators".

What can I say instead of "it was opposed"?

Alternatives include "it faced opposition", "it was resisted", or "it met with resistance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "it was opposed" or "it faced opposition"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""it faced opposition"" might sound more active, while "it was opposed" emphasizes the passive reception of the opposition.

What's the difference between "it was opposed" and "it was rejected"?

"It was opposed" implies resistance or disagreement, while "it was rejected" means it was definitively turned down or refused.