opposite from, opposite of, opposite to

As a noun, opposite may stand alone or be followed by the preposition of.

  • Madeleine believes just the opposite!
  • What is the opposite of up?

As an adjective, opposite may stand alone or be followed by the preposition to or occasionally from.

  • The cars were travelling in opposite directions when the accident occurred.
  • Hyacinth’s opinions are often opposite to Pierre’s.
  • Keith’s cottage is on the same lake but on the opposite side from (or to) ours.

Opposite may also function as a preposition. The preposition opposite should not be followed by of or to.

  • Jean-Luc lives in the house opposite ours.
  • Two dozen condos will be built opposite the theatre (not opposite of the theatre or opposite to the theatre).

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