opposed one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opposed one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more entities that are in conflict or disagreement with each other. Example: "The two political parties were opposed one another on the issue of healthcare reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Why, those two just can't stop attending each others' weddings and hosting book-signing parties for one another - which is exactly what you'd expect of the two people who opposed one another in court on the case that rent the body politic in twain!

Huffington Post

Also 2 sessions involving the Marriage Equality Act, as well as Citizens United were presented by two of the United States most famous lawyers who opposed one another in the Citizen's case and joined forces on the Marriage Equality Case.

Huffington Post

Two teams with offenses that often flow in hot, fast and frenetic ways opposed one another at Yankee Stadium last night.

The New York Times - Sports

And yet it happened surprisingly fast, as the changing nature of the industry has forced companies who once diametrically opposed one another to start working together for the sake of their customers.

TechCrunch

U.M.P. leaders said on Monday that they would not make alliances with either the left or the National Front in constituencies where they opposed one another.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And why are Democrats opposing one another on what's important?

Huffington Post

Unlike the two milRNA duplexes, reads within the loop region varied in both length and 5′ start site, and did not directly oppose one another on the precursor sequence.

BMC Genomics

The state's chief judge has ordered lawyers who are opposing one another in court to provide copies of documents if their adversaries have been affected.

The New York Times

That and some muddled boasts to co-workers about having links to both al-Qaida and to Hezbollah, groups that bitterly oppose one another from across the Sunni-Shia divide.

The Guardian - Opinion

In maintaining this structure the two powers oppose one another all around the globe, because of their antagonistic political philosophies and cooperate because of their common interest in avoiding nuclear annihilation.

The New Yorker

Additionally it was observed that complimentary caloric effects are competing in nature and could act to oppose one another.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opposed one another" to clearly indicate a direct conflict or disagreement between two or more distinct entities. This phrase emphasizes a mutual antagonism or contrasting stance.

Common error

Avoid using "opposed one another" when describing actions or attributes within a single entity. This phrase is specifically for interactions between entities, not internal conflicts or contradictions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opposed one another" functions as a descriptive verbal phrase. It typically describes the relationship between two or more entities, indicating conflict, disagreement, or competition. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates reciprocal action or state between two subjects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opposed one another" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe conflict or disagreement between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is most often seen in the contexts of "News & Media" and "Science". While not extremely common, it provides a clear and effective way to convey mutual opposition. When writing, consider alternative phrasings to increase clarity or formality based on the specific situation. Consider that while "opposed to each other" is a valid alternative, "opposed one another" emphasizes a direct, reciprocal opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were in opposition

Focuses on a state of being against something or someone, slightly more formal.

were in conflict

Emphasizes active disagreement or struggle, implying a more intense situation.

were at odds

Suggests a state of disagreement or disharmony, often implying a more personal or emotional conflict.

were antagonistic

Highlights the mutual hostility and active opposition.

were clashing

Implies a direct and forceful confrontation or disagreement.

were competing

Suggests rivalry and striving for the same goal, not necessarily direct opposition.

were contending

Implies a struggle to overcome or surpass, often in a formal or strategic way.

were fighting each other

Emphasizes a direct and often physical confrontation.

were disagreeing strongly

Highlights a significant difference of opinion or perspective.

were challenging each other

Implies a questioning or contesting of ideas or positions.

FAQs

How can I use "opposed one another" in a sentence?

Use "opposed one another" to describe situations where two or more entities are in direct conflict or disagreement. For example, "The two candidates "opposed one another" on every major issue."

What are some alternatives to "opposed one another"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were in conflict", "were at odds", or "were antagonistic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "opposed to each other" instead of "opposed one another"?

While "opposed to each other" is a valid alternative, ""opposed one another"" is often used to emphasize a direct, mutual opposition between distinct entities. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "opposed one another" and "in agreement with one another"?

The phrase ""opposed one another"" indicates disagreement or conflict, while "in agreement with one another" suggests consensus or harmony. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum of interaction.