opposite than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opposite than" is not a grammatically correct construction in written English.
It is likely a mistake or a rare colloquial expression, as the correct phrase would be "opposite of" or "different from." Here are some examples of correct usage: - "The two sisters have opposite personalities. One is outgoing, while the other is shy." - "I thought the movie would be funny, but it was quite the opposite." - "Their views on the topic are completely opposite from each other." - "The blue book is the opposite of the red one." - "I often find myself doing the opposite of what my parents tell me to do."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

You can't get more opposite than that!

The New York Times - Science

Much scarce resources are being spent on providing training and education to prospective entrepreneurs with little, and even opposite than intended, outcomes.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

In case of correlation of fluoride with pH, although parameters are positively related, but the 'r' value is very close to zero, a trend opposite than that observed during post-monsoon.

Applied Water Science

I'm the yang to his yin, which I suppose means we're more opposite than alike, but if you think about it the whole yin/yang thing really ties us back nicely to Mulan, doesn't it?

Huffington Post

This behavior is exactly the opposite than what has been observed for the financial sector, and this crucial difference between Financial and Services sectors cannot be inferred by looking at networks obtained by using standard correlation as a similarity measure.

Plosone

The CXCR3/CCR5 expression status was opposite than predicted.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

(In reality Sandberg and Slaughter are less ideological opposites than dissenting allies).

The New Yorker

The idea that the two queens are less polar opposites than mirror images has, however, informed recent productions directed by Vienna's Andrea Breth (2002) and the Donmar's Phyllida Lloyd (2005).

The Guardian

"Things go in an opposite direction than you want them, but again, it's a lesson.

The Guardian - Sport

The drink seemed to have affected Neil's driving in the opposite way than it was supposed to.

The New Yorker

But the move had the opposite effect than the one the government had hoped for: the rupee fell even further.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "opposite than" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "different from" or "contrary to" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "than" after "opposite". Always remember that "opposite" should be followed by "of" or, depending on the context, replaced by a synonym that correctly uses "than", like "different from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opposite than" functions as a comparator, attempting to express a contrasting relationship. However, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form should be "opposite of" or a rephrasing using "different from".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "opposite than" might appear in some contexts, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives such as "opposite of" or "different from" to convey the intended meaning accurately. The usage analysis indicates that it appears mostly in scientific and news contexts, but its rarity and grammatical issues suggest avoiding it in formal writing. For clarity and correctness, always opt for established and grammatically sound alternatives when expressing opposition or contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different from

This alternative uses a more standard preposition to indicate dissimilarity.

contrary to

This phrase emphasizes a direct contradiction or opposition.

opposed to

This option suggests a state of being against or in contrast with something.

the reverse of

This alternative highlights the inverted nature of the relationship.

in contrast with

Emphasizes the juxtaposition and distinctness between two things.

dissimilar to

Focuses on the lack of resemblance or shared qualities.

the antithesis of

Highlights a complete and direct opposition.

unlike

A simple and direct way to express a difference.

at odds with

This phrase suggests a conflict or incompatibility.

distinct from

This alternative emphasizes clear and recognizable differences.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "opposite" in a sentence?

The word "opposite" is typically followed by "of", as in "The opposite of black is white." You can also rephrase using "different from", for example, "This is different from that".

What can I say instead of "opposite than"?

Use alternatives such as "different from", "contrary to", or "opposed to" to convey a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Which is correct, "opposite than" or "opposite of"?

"Opposite of" is the grammatically correct choice. "Opposite than" is generally considered incorrect.

Is there a situation where "than" can be used with a concept of opposition?

Yes, you can use "than" correctly when using adjectives or adverbs that express difference or comparison, such as "different than" or "rather than". However, "opposite" requires "of".