separate opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

"separate opinion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase can be used when you want to describe someone's opinion that is different to those held by other people or the majority. For example, "Susie had a separate opinion from the rest of the board and argued her point passionately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(The separate opinion is another story).

The New York Times

Each judge wrote a separate opinion.

The New York Times

Justice O'Connor concurred in a separate opinion.

The New York Times

Four separate opinion polls showed the two major parties tied.

The New Yorker

Justice Stevens, in his separate opinion, essentially split the difference.

The New York Times

Justice Stephen G. Breyer concurred in a separate opinion, which Justice David H. Souter joined.

The New York Times

Justice Antonin Scalia objected in a separate opinion to this aspect of the court's opinion.

The New York Times

Judge Henderson, a conservative Republican, issued a separate opinion largely supporting the justification for the search.

The New York Times

Scalia wrote as a "needed response to Justice Stevens's separate opinion".

The New Yorker

Justice O'Connor's separate opinion treated adoption of a national standard as constitutionally required.

The New York Times

In a separate opinion, Gorsuch wrote, "All of us face the problem of complicity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "separate opinion" to clearly indicate that a viewpoint differs from the majority or main opinion, especially in formal contexts like legal or professional discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "separate opinion" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "different view" or "other idea" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separate opinion" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a distinct viewpoint, often in contrast to a main or majority opinion. Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable phrase. This is often used in legal and formal contexts to denote a differing judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "separate opinion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to denote a distinct viewpoint, particularly in legal, news, and formal contexts. While the phrase is considered neutral to professional in register, its usage can be replaced by alternative phrases like "dissenting viewpoint" or "alternative stance" depending on the specific context. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker commonly employ "separate opinion", avoid its overuse in informal conversations where simpler terms suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divergent opinion

Focuses on the point that the opinion branches off or differs.

differing viewpoint

Simply indicates a different perspective from others.

dissenting viewpoint

Emphasizes disagreement with the prevailing view.

minority perspective

Highlights that the opinion is held by a smaller group.

unique perspective

Highlights the distinct and individual nature of the viewpoint.

alternative stance

Suggests a different position or viewpoint.

independent assessment

Stresses an evaluation made without influence from others.

contrary belief

Highlights a belief that is in opposition to others.

individual assessment

Underscores a personal and independent evaluation.

personal judgment

Focuses on the individual's own appraisal.

FAQs

How to use "separate opinion" in a sentence?

You can use "separate opinion" to indicate a viewpoint that differs from the majority. For example, "Justice Thomas filed a "separate opinion" emphasizing school choice".

What can I say instead of "separate opinion"?

You can use alternatives like "dissenting viewpoint", "minority perspective", or "alternative stance" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "separate opinion" and "dissenting opinion"?

"Separate opinion" indicates a differing view, while "dissenting opinion" specifically implies disagreement with the majority in a legal context.

Is it always necessary to use "separate opinion" when viewpoints differ?

No, simpler phrases like "different view" or "other idea" may suffice in informal settings. "Separate opinion" is best reserved for formal or legal contexts where precision is important.