was opposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was opposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disagreement or resistance to a particular idea, action, or policy in a past context. Example: "The committee was opposed to the proposed changes in the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was opposed to the peace process.

The New Yorker

I never was opposed to it.

The New York Times

Orwell was opposed to Nazi Germany.

The New Yorker

Not everyone was opposed to fracking.

The New York Times

He was opposed to ethanol.

The New York Times

He was opposed to Obamacare.

The New Yorker

(He was opposed to both).

The New York Times - Arts

He was opposed to the Iraq war.

The Guardian - Books

I was opposed to this man.

The New York Times - Arts

Nontheless, he was opposed to statutory regulation.

The Guardian

He was opposed to the escalation, though.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was opposed to" when you want to clearly state someone's disagreement or resistance to a specific idea, action, or policy in the past. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing clarity and directness.

Common error

Avoid using "was opposed to" in present tense constructions when describing current feelings. Instead, use "is opposed to" or alternatives like "against" or "disagrees with" to accurately reflect present sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was opposed to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of disagreement or resistance in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was opposed to" is a verb phrase used to express disagreement or resistance to something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used in English, especially in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it is versatile enough for both formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure that "was opposed to" accurately reflects past sentiment and consider alternatives like "disagreed with" or "objected to" for nuanced expressions. Avoid misusing it in the present tense by using 'is opposed to' to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

objected to

Suggests a formal expression of disapproval.

resistant to

Implies an active effort to prevent something from happening.

disagreed with

Focuses more on a difference of opinion, less strong resistance.

in disagreement with

Highlights a difference in view.

did not support

Emphasizes a lack of endorsement or approval.

against

A more direct and informal way of expressing opposition.

at odds with

Implies a fundamental conflict or incompatibility.

unfavorable to

Indicates a lack of support or a negative view.

took exception to

Highlights a specific point of disagreement or offense.

dissented from

Suggests a formal or official expression of disagreement.

FAQs

How do I use "was opposed to" in a sentence?

Use "was opposed to" to indicate that someone disagreed with or resisted something in the past. For instance, "He was opposed to the new regulations" indicates his past disagreement.

What are some alternatives to "was opposed to"?

You can use alternatives such as "disagreed with", "objected to", or "was against" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is opposed to" instead of "was opposed to"?

The correct form depends on the timing. "Is opposed to" indicates a current disagreement, while "was opposed to" refers to a past disagreement.

What is the difference between "was opposed to" and "resistant to"?

"Was opposed to" simply states disagreement. "Resistant to" implies active measures taken to prevent something. Thus, "resistant to" suggests stronger opposition with action.