oppose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oppose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disagreement or resistance to an idea, proposal, or action. Example: "Many community members oppose the construction of the new highway due to environmental concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Those who oppose this sort of action need to think about what they are condoning".

The New York Times

Because, on specific flagship policies, just what would Liberal Democrats oppose when in government with them?

The Guardian - Opinion

From next week, the government will require six out of the eight crossbenchers to pass any legislation which Labor and the Greens oppose.

The Guardian

Willke quit delivering babies in the late 1960s to oppose abortion, retiring from his medical practice in 1988 to fully devote his time to the anti-abortion movement.

The Guardian

Consistent with the education unions' recent calls for education secretary Michael Gove's resignation, negativity is highest among education leaders – nearly half say they oppose the government's agenda for their sector.

The Guardian

Jim Killock, the executive director of Open Rights Group who last month warned the right to privacy could be meaningless within a decade under Labour and Tory plans, said he hoped politicians of all stripes would oppose the reintroduction of the bill.

The Guardian

"I am here because I am a teacher and I oppose the cuts to public services and education bill and it will be an irreversible change to British life and culture and a whole.

The Guardian

On the fringes of the festive crowd gathered in Guildhall Square were a handful of republican dissidents who oppose Sinn Féin's peace strategy, some wholly through politics and others through the continuation of "armed struggle".

The Guardian

The SDLP accused Mr Adams of deploying the same argument as those who oppose an inquiry into allegations of security force collusion in the 1989 killing of solicitor Pat Finucane by loyalists.

The Guardian

Canada would very, very strongly oppose Putin ever sitting around that table again.

The Guardian

Billions of dollars of the government's proposed budget savings are under threat with Labor declaring opposition to more than half of their welfare reforms as the Greens revealed they would oppose the indexation of the fuel excise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "oppose", clearly state the reason for your opposition to make your stance more persuasive and understandable. For example, instead of saying "I oppose this", specify "I oppose this due to its potential environmental impact."

Common error

Avoid using "oppose" when a milder expression of disagreement is more appropriate. "Oppose" implies a strong stance against something; consider alternatives like "question" or "have reservations about" for less emphatic disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "oppose" is as a verb, indicating an action of disagreeing with or resisting something. Ludwig examples show it used to describe disagreement with policies, actions, or ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "oppose" is a versatile verb used to express disagreement or resistance, predominantly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the usage is grammatically sound. As shown in the provided examples, "oppose" is used when individuals or groups express dissent towards policies, ideas, or actions. When aiming for variety in your writing, consider alternatives like "resist", "object to", or "disagree with" to convey similar but nuanced meanings. Remember to clarify your reasons for opposing to make your stance more convincing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resist

Implies a more active and sustained effort to counteract something.

object to

Indicates a formal expression of disapproval or disagreement.

disagree with

Expresses a difference in opinion or viewpoint.

be against

A more informal way of expressing opposition.

counter

Suggests an action taken to neutralize or offset something.

fight against

Implies a strong and active struggle against something.

challenge

Suggests questioning or disputing the validity or authority of something.

rebel against

Indicates a more forceful and defiant form of opposition.

take a stand against

Implies a public and principled opposition.

dissent from

Expresses a formal disagreement, often within a group or organization.

FAQs

How do I use "oppose" in a sentence?

You can use "oppose" to express disagreement or resistance to an idea, plan, or action. For example, "Many citizens "oppose" the new tax law."

What can I say instead of "oppose"?

You can use alternatives like "resist", "object to", or "disagree with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "oppose to" or simply "oppose"?

The correct usage is simply "oppose". The phrase "oppose to" is grammatically incorrect. For example, say "I "oppose" the decision" instead of "I oppose to the decision."

What's the difference between "oppose" and "resist"?

"Oppose" generally means to disagree with something and express that disagreement, while "resist" implies a more active effort to prevent something from happening. You can "oppose" a plan verbally, but you "resist" it through actions.