was not opposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not opposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not express disagreement or resistance to a proposal or idea. Example: "The committee was not opposed to the new policy changes, allowing them to be implemented smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was not opposed to change.

The New York Times - Sports

Popeye was not opposed to violence.

The New Yorker

Mr. O'Neill was not opposed to attracting more applicants.

The New York Times

Kermanian said he was not opposed to negotiations entirely.

The Guardian

Mrs. Stevens said she was not opposed to testing.

The New York Times

More surprisingly, she was not opposed to Wuornos's execution.

The Guardian - Film

But Loos was not opposed to ornament per se.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was not opposed in principle, Balls said.

The Guardian

Washington indicated that it was not opposed to such a step.

The New York Times

Mayor Hahn said he was not opposed to news crews filming chases, then broadcasting newsworthy clips.

The New York Times

Mr. Padavan said he was not opposed to the Mets, just the site.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not opposed" to indicate a neutral stance or passive acceptance, especially when a stronger endorsement is not warranted. It's useful in scenarios where active support is not necessarily present, but there's no resistance either.

Common error

Avoid overusing "was not opposed" in contexts where active support or advocacy is more appropriate. Over-reliance on passive constructions can make your writing seem weak or evasive. Consider using stronger verbs to convey endorsement if that's the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not opposed" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating a state of acceptance or lack of resistance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It typically modifies a subject, describing their attitude towards something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not opposed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a neutral or passively accepting position. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it doesn't convey strong endorsement, it effectively communicates a lack of resistance. When writing, consider whether a stronger term like "supported" might be more appropriate if active approval is intended, but it is important to be accurate. Remember to use the phrase "was not opposed" when you need to express absence of objection, in that situation it's a perfect fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not object

Indicates a lack of formal protest or disagreement; suggests a more passive acceptance.

raised no objections

Highlights the absence of formally stated disagreements.

did not mind

Suggests a personal feeling of indifference or acceptance, rather than formal approval.

was amenable to

Implies a willingness to agree or cooperate; more formal.

was receptive to

Indicates an openness to new ideas or suggestions.

expressed no reservations

Emphasizes the lack of unspoken doubts or concerns.

acquiesced to

Suggests reluctant acceptance without open opposition.

did not challenge

Focuses on the absence of active resistance or questioning.

was in agreement with

Indicates a state of accord or shared opinion.

did not resist

Suggests a lack of active opposition or struggle.

FAQs

How can I use "was not opposed" in a sentence?

You can use "was not opposed" to indicate that someone or a group did not disagree with or resist a proposal or idea. For example, "The committee "was not opposed" to the new policy changes."

What's the difference between "was not opposed" and "supported"?

"Was not opposed" implies a neutral stance or passive acceptance, while "supported" indicates active approval and endorsement. If someone "was not opposed" to something, they didn't object, but they might not have actively championed it.

Are there formal alternatives to "was not opposed"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "acquiesced to", "was amenable to", or "raised no objections". These phrases convey a similar lack of resistance but may be more appropriate in professional or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of "was not opposed" in informal contexts?

In informal situations, you could use phrases like "did not mind" or "did not object". These options are less formal and suitable for casual conversations.