its opponents are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its opponents are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the opposing side or critics of a particular subject, idea, or entity. Example: "In the debate over climate change, its opponents are often criticized for ignoring scientific evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The White House has been lobbying furiously behind the scenes to convince Democrats that the deal is better than its opponents are making it out to be, and that Obama deserves some elbow room now and that Congress can vote later on the question of relaxing the sanctions.

Huffington Post

The N.A.A.C.P. had originally said the boycott would continue until the flag was lowered from the dome, and its opponents are now accusing it of changing its goals because it was not a participant in the compromise.

The New York Times

Its opponents are suspicious: Is it a wolf in sheep's clothing?

BBC

The government says it is maintaining the state of emergency because its opponents are still plotting violence.

The New York Times

As the health reform law moves off the drawing board into the real world, its opponents are doing their best to make it not work -- by shifting their energies from fulminations about the boogeymen they imagine in the law to hampering, complicating or outright obstructing its implementation.

Huffington Post

Its opponents are divided.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Another problem with the legislation for its opponents is that it creates different classes of victims, thus bending the concept of equal protection under the law.

The New York Times

The Lieberman campaign acknowledged that it had no evidence that its opponents were behind the crash.

The New York Times

The government said its opponents were responsible for those killings.

The New York Times

Labour, with its agenda appropriated by its opponents, was shrivelling up.

The Economist

But now the Obama administration, which has been outshouted by its opponents, is fighting back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "its opponents are", ensure that "its" clearly refers to a specific entity or concept to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "the company's opponents are" rather than just "its opponents are" if the context isn't immediately clear.

Common error

Avoid using "its opponents are" without providing sufficient context. Instead of saying, "Its opponents are wrong", specify why they are considered wrong or what specific points of contention exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its opponents are" functions as a subject complement, identifying or describing the subject (opponents) in relation to a specific entity. Ludwig shows many examples of how the phrase is used in new articles and other types of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "its opponents are" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote opposition to a specific entity. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is common, especially in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the referent of "its" and providing context to avoid overgeneralization. The register is neutral, making it suitable for diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those who oppose it are

Rephrases the idea using "those who oppose it" instead of "its opponents".

its adversaries include

Uses "adversaries" to denote opponents, implying a more active conflict.

the opposition consists of

Uses "the opposition" as a general term for those who disagree.

those against it consist of

Specifies that the opponents "consist of" certain entities or groups.

its critics happen to be

Identifies opponents as "critics", highlighting their role as evaluators.

its detractors comprise

Employs "detractors" to describe opponents who actively criticize.

opposing parties consist of

Refers to clearly defined parties that are in opposition

counter forces are

Uses a term suggesting that opponents are actively working against its position

those dissenting encompass

Indicates that the opponents include specific groups dissenting opinions.

antagonistic groups include

Uses the term "antagonistic" to portray its opponents negatively

FAQs

How can I use "its opponents are" in a sentence?

You can use "its opponents are" to describe the entities or individuals that are in opposition to something. For example: "The new policy is facing strong resistance; "its opponents are" lobbying against its implementation."

What can I say instead of "its opponents are"?

You can use alternatives like "those who oppose it are", "its adversaries include", or "the opposition consists of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "its opponents are" or "those who oppose it are"?

Both "its opponents are" and "those who oppose it are" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context. "Its opponents are" is slightly more concise.

What is the difference between "its opponents are" and "its supporters are"?

"Its opponents are" refers to those who disagree with or are against a particular entity, idea, or policy, while "its supporters are" refers to those who agree with and advocate for it. They represent opposing sides in a debate or conflict.