ENGLISH
REFERENCE

opposed to sth

prep. phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. to disagree with a plan, idea, or system and try to stop it from happening.

prep. phr.. expressing strong disagreement with or resistance to a specific policy, action, or ideology; often functions as a predicative adjective phrase.


SIMPLE

Most people are opposed to the new tax.

CONTEXTUAL

The local community is strongly opposed to building a new shopping mall in the park.

COMPLEX

While the board of directors remained opposed to the merger, the shareholders were enticed by the significant premium offered for their stock.

Usage

usually follows the verb 'to be' and is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

Teaching tip

highlight that 'to' is a preposition here, not part of an infinitive, so it must be followed by a noun or an -ing form, not a base verb.

Pitfall

I am opposed to change the law.I am opposed to changing the law.the word 'to' is a preposition in this phrase, so it requires a gerund or a noun rather than an infinitive verb.

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