was at odds with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was at odds with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a disagreement or conflict between two parties or ideas. Example: "Her opinion on the matter was at odds with the majority view of the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

General manager Daniel McArthur said the request was "at odds with what the Bible teaches".

The Guardian

Another line of criticism is quasi-Burkean; Rothschild was "at odds with tradition" (Winner, 197114).

Nature

Cresselly say Carew's decision was "at odds with their title of champions".

BBC

The faculty was at odds with itself.

The New York Times

Mr. Harper's conservatism was at odds with that identity.

The New York Times

"I was at odds with myself," she said.

The New York Times

On occasion, Mr. Goldstone was at odds with the commission.

The New York Times

At times the music was at odds with the choreography.

The New York Times - Arts

It was at odds with the first two sessions.

Independent

The dissent also was at odds with the majority's disposition of the exhaustion issue.

Cornell University

Miller was at odds with Jensen when his paper was first published in 2002.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was at odds with" to clearly indicate a conflict or disagreement between two or more things. For example, "The company's environmental policies were at odds with its stated commitment to sustainability."

Common error

Ensure the verb "was" agrees with the subject. If the subject is plural, use "were" instead. For example, instead of writing "Their opinions was at odds with each other", the correct sentence is "Their opinions were at odds with each other."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was at odds with" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating disagreement, conflict, or inconsistency between two or more entities or ideas. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its role in expressing contrast or opposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was at odds with" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express disagreement, conflict, or incompatibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, its adaptability makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and avoid overuse. Instead, consider using related alternatives like "differed with" or "conflicted with" to enrich your writing. Remember that the phrase indicates contrast, so be sure to define both of the elements that are "at odds" in your sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differed with

Focuses on disagreement or divergence in opinion or perspective.

conflicted with

Highlights a direct clash or opposition.

clashed with

Emphasizes a strong, often sudden, disagreement or conflict.

was in disagreement with

A more formal and explicit way of expressing a difference in opinion.

was in opposition to

Indicates active resistance or contrast to something.

was inconsistent with

Stresses a lack of alignment or harmony.

was incompatible with

Focuses on the inability of two things to coexist or work together effectively.

was contrary to

Highlights a direct contradiction or reversal of something.

did not align with

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or correspondence.

was at variance with

A more formal way of saying something differed or disagreed.

FAQs

How can I use "was at odds with" in a sentence?

Use "was at odds with" to indicate a conflict, disagreement, or inconsistency between two things. For instance, "His actions "were at odds with" his promises."

What's a synonym for "was at odds with"?

Alternatives include "differed with", "conflicted with", or "clashed with". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "were at odds with"?

Yes, "were at odds with" is correct when referring to a plural subject. For example, "Their opinions "were at odds with" each other."

What's the difference between "was at odds with" and "in agreement with"?

"Was at odds with" indicates disagreement or conflict, while "in agreement with" signifies harmony or accord. They are antonyms.