Use of The Word OPPOSITE as an Adjective, Adverb, Noun and Preposition | Learn the Correct Usage of OPPOSITE

Use OPPOSITE as an Adjective, Adverb, Noun and Preposition

The word OPPOSITE can be used as an Adjective, Adverb, Noun and Preposition. Let's know them one by one.

1) Use of OPPOSITE as an Adjective

As an Adjective, OPPOSITE is used to mean 'being in a position on the other side'. | On the other side of a particular area from someone or something, and usually facing them.

Let's Take Some Examples,

1) My brother and I live on opposite sides of the city.

2) The maps on the opposite page show where these animals live.

3) They sat at opposite ends of the bench.

4) If you want to buy tickets, you need to go to the counter opposite.

5) We lost our way. A passerby told us to turn and walk in the opposite direction.

6) People often believe the exact opposite of what you tell'em. [tell'em = tell them]

7) The two brothers live on opposite sides of the river.

8) Answers are given on the opposite page.

9) Who owns that house opposite (= on the other side of the road/street)?

10) It's not easy having a relationship when you live on opposite ends of the country.

* As an Adjective, the word OPPOSITE  also means 'completely different'.

Let's take some examples,

1) They are twins but they're completely opposite to each other in every way.

2) We worked on it in the hope of some good results but it just produced the opposite effect.

3) I should have written the notes in the opposite order.

4) In fact, everything he thinks is opposite to what is considered to be good.

* Opposite to something: This year's wheat production is completely opposite to last year's, which was very low in quantity and quality.

* Used after the noun: facing the speaker or someone or something that has been mentioned. For example, I could see smoke coming from the windows of the house directly opposite. He sat down in the chair opposite.

* Opposite is used to describe things of the same kind which are completely different in a particular way. For example, north and south are opposite directions, and winning and losing are opposite results in a game.

2) Use of OPPOSITE as a Preposition

As a Preposition, the word OPPOSITE means 'in a position facing someone or something but on the other side'.

Look at The Examples Below,

1) We're in the building opposite the Administrative Buildings.

2) The two brothers sat opposite each other.

3) Put a tick opposite (= next to) the answer that you think is correct.

3) Use of OPPOSITE as a Noun

As a Noun, the word OPPOSITE is used to refer to something or someone that is completely different from another person or thing. | The opposite of something or someone is the thing or person that is very different from them.

Have a Look at The Sentences Below,

1) My father is a very hard-working person, but my mother is just the opposite. | My father is the complete opposite of my mother.

2) She's told the exact opposite of what everyone expected.

3) We all know that the opposite of 'good' is 'bad'.

4) The new owner is the exact opposite of his predecessor.

5)  He is a very complex man but his brother John is the opposite, a very simple man.

6) Well, whatever he says, you can bet he's thinking the opposite.

* The opposite of something/somebody: She tends to do the opposite of what people expect.

4) Use of OPPOSITE as an Adverb

OPPOSITE is also an Adverb. As an Adverb, the word OPPOSITE is used to mean 'in a position facing someone or something but on the other side'.

Now, Read the Following Sentences Carefully,

1) Tom asked the boy sitting opposite whether he'd mind if he opened the window.

2) The people who live opposite (= on the other side of the road/street) are from the USA.

3) The officers will be on this side of the road, and the warehouse will be built opposite.

4) We looked up at the buildings opposite but couldn't see anyone.

5) See opposite (= on the opposite page) for further details.