opposite someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opposite someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical position or location where one person is facing another person directly across from them. Example: "During the meeting, I sat opposite someone who had a very different perspective on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

So perhaps we need the opposite: someone who, like Gangnam, remains genuinely popular.

The Guardian - Music

Or perhaps the opposite — someone to whom Aryeh had done some forgotten injustice?

The New Yorker

Jesse Biblowitz could have been his opposite, someone so comfortable with the rhythms of our little cul-de-sac, it was hard to imagine him anywhere else.

The New York Times

I sat opposite someone over dinner last week who offered me a wager that Nick Clegg would still become prime minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is comfortable as a period toff, but can also convincingly play the polar opposite, someone as contemporary and anti-establishment as Julian Assange.

The Guardian

"They might have to come into an assessment centre and walk past protesters, they might sit opposite someone in the waiting room with an 'Atos Kills' T-shirt.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In one string of clips it's always raining; in another, the actors' heightened reactions to time seem like counterpunching opposites: someone's Oh my God, it's 2 o'clock, is soon followed by someone else's Relax, it's only 2 o'clock, and then someone else's Have a drink, it's 2 o'clock.

The New York Times - Arts

"When you look at your mom, you might say, 'I'm exactly the opposite.' Someone else might say, 'Hmm.' " Yet the more scientists learn about particular genes, the more they can tell us what is inherited from our ancestors.

The New York Times - Health

Throughtout the interview, Zoë is generously reckless in what she tells me, the opposite of someone policing every phrase.

The Guardian - Books

" It sounds like Milan were only fulfilling their contractual obligations, and more importantly he is effectively giving money to Silvio Berlusconi, the very opposite of someone who needs or deserves extra cash.

The Guardian - Sport

Fanny Julissa Garcia New York City Reading Dexter Filkins's Profile of Secretary of Defense James Mattis, I was shocked to learn how readily Mattis was approved by Congress, since he seems like the opposite of someone who would be interested in civilian oversight ("The Warrior Monk," May 29th).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements, use "opposite someone" to clearly indicate a face-to-face position.

Common error

Avoid using "opposite someone" when you mean "the opposite of someone". "Opposite someone" describes a physical position, while "the opposite of someone" describes a contrasting personality or characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opposite someone" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating spatial orientation or position relative to another person. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it describes the act of being directly across from another individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opposite someone" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a spatial arrangement where one person is facing another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is straightforward and generally well-understood. It's important not to confuse it with phrases describing contrasting personalities or characteristics, such as "the opposite of someone". Usage is most frequent in news and media contexts. Remember to use "opposite someone" to describe the physical position and "across from someone" as a valid and interchangeable alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing someone

Focuses on the physical act of facing another person.

across from someone

Emphasizes the position of being on the other side from someone.

in front of someone

Highlights being directly in the view of another person.

vis-à-vis someone

A more formal way of saying in relation to someone.

confronting someone

Implies a more direct or potentially adversarial interaction.

in contrast to someone

Highlights the differences between individuals.

in opposition to someone

Highlights a state of disagreement or being against someone.

contrary to someone

Suggests a difference in opinion or action compared to another person.

diametrically opposed to someone

Indicates a complete contrast in opinions or positions.

antagonistic to someone

Implies active hostility or opposition towards another person.

FAQs

How can I use "opposite someone" in a sentence?

The phrase "opposite someone" indicates a position where you are directly facing another person. For example, "I sat "across from someone" during the interview".

What does "opposite someone" mean?

"Opposite someone" usually refers to a spatial arrangement where two people are facing each other. It doesn't imply disagreement or contrasting characteristics, unlike "the "opposite of someone"".

What's the difference between "opposite someone" and "across from someone"?

Both "opposite someone" and ""across from someone"" generally mean the same thing: being in a position where you are facing another person directly. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.

When is it appropriate to use "opposite someone" instead of "the opposite of someone"?

Use "opposite someone" when describing a physical location or arrangement. Use "the "opposite of someone"" when discussing contrasting traits or characteristics. For example, "He is the "opposite of someone" who enjoys outdoor activities".