opposition to each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opposition to each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more entities are in conflict or disagreement with one another. Example: "The two political parties have a long history of opposition to each other, often leading to heated debates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Things happened in opposition to each other.

The New York Times - Arts

Their goals cannot always be in opposition to each other.

The New York Times

"It was like all the body parts were working in opposition to each other," Pfrangle remembered.

The New Yorker

The identities of the Labour and Conservative parties were largely forged in opposition to each other.

The Guardian

Surely these aims are complementary, not in opposition to each other".

Independent

Is it possible that Islam and Europe aren't in opposition to each other after all?

The Economist

"Do you think good and evil can only be defined in opposition to each other?" he asks his year 11s.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Often, in the debates around professional critics and bloggers, the two are pitted in opposition to each other.

The Guardian

What may not be obvious is the way these two concepts stand in opposition to each other.

The New York Times - Books

Many voices speak, in opposition to each other, and almost all of them (not Rabbi Bengelsdorf) sound persuasive.

The New Yorker

Livingstone's modus operandi was to pander to some groups and ignore others, setting communities in opposition to each other.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "opposition to each other", ensure the context clearly establishes the entities involved and the nature of their conflict or contrast. For example, "The two proposals are in direct opposition to each other, creating a difficult choice for the committee."

Common error

Avoid using "opposition to each other" when describing a single entity's internal conflict. It's applicable only when multiple entities are in disagreement or conflict. For example, instead of saying "His thoughts were in opposition to each other", you might say "His thoughts were conflicted."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opposition to each other" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of conflict, disagreement, or contrast between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across a range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opposition to each other" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe conflict, disagreement, or contrast between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific publications. While effective, alternative phrases like "at odds with one another" or "in conflict with one another" can provide subtle differences in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure it applies to multiple entities and that the context clearly establishes their relationship of conflict. Avoid using it to describe the feelings of a single entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at odds with one another

Emphasizes the conflict or disagreement between entities.

in conflict with one another

Highlights the active state of conflict.

contrary to one another

Emphasizes direct contradiction or difference.

antagonistic towards each other

Focuses on the feeling of animosity or hostility.

in disagreement with each other

Highlights the difference of opinion between entities.

working against each other

Focuses on the action of actively hindering or impeding one another.

counter to each other

Emphasizes the contrary nature or direction of the entities.

mutually antagonistic

Highlights mutual hostility and conflict.

diametrically opposed

Highlights the completeness of the opposition.

mutually exclusive

Indicates that the entities cannot coexist or both be true.

FAQs

How can I use "opposition to each other" in a sentence?

Use "opposition to each other" to describe situations where two or more things are in conflict or disagreement. For example, "The two political parties are frequently in "opposition to each other" on key policy issues".

What's a good alternative to "opposition to each other"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives like "at odds with one another", "in conflict with one another", or "antagonistic towards each other".

Is it correct to use "opposition to each other" when referring to a single person's feelings?

No, "opposition to each other" is typically used when describing a relationship between two or more distinct entities. If you're describing conflicting feelings within a single person, consider using terms like "conflicted" or "at odds with themselves".

How does "opposition to each other" differ from "incompatible"?

"Opposition to each other" suggests an active conflict or disagreement, while "incompatible" simply means that two things cannot coexist or function well together. Things that are in "opposition to each other" are necessarily incompatible, but incompatible things aren't always in active opposition.