Usage of opposite: The bank is opposite (to) the supermarket.

[Hanifasmm]

Hi everybody,
1. The bank is opposite the supermarket.
2. The bank is opposite -to- the supermarket.
Are these two sentences grammatically OK?
Please confirm.
Thanks,
Er.S.M.M.Hanifa

[Ctnsite]

Hi, Hanifasmm
As you know, we don't put 'to' after 'opposite' when it's used as a preposition. We only can do that if it's used as an adjective. So, I think your first sentence is correct.

[Hanifasmm]

1. The bank is opposite the supermarket.
2. The bank is opposite -to- the supermarket.
3. The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended.
4. The fact is almost opposite to what he has said.
5. The word - "refined oil" is opposite to the word - "crude oil.
How do you say in 1st and 2nd sentences, the word - 'opposite' is
used as preposition ?
How about in sentences 3, 4 & 5, the word - ' opposite' is used ?
I don't find much differences in all these sentences.
It looks to me the word - 'opposite' is used as adjective
in all these sentences.
Please clarify my doubt.
Thanks,
Er.S.M.M.Hanifa

[Ctnsite]

In an easy way, I don't use 'opposite to' when refer to location. Maybe some one else will have better explanation.

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

600 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi,

'Opposite' has different functions. It can be an adjective as in: If you look at the opposite page, you will see a photograph/ They live on the opposite side of the street where I live. It can be a preposition as in: The cinema is opposite the supermarket/The railway station is directly opposite the bus station. It can also be an adverb as in: That man sitting opposite is an actor on television/The family who live opposite have 4 children. It can also be used as a noun as in: The opposite of 'good' is 'bad'/He looks the complete opposite of what I expected him to be.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Hanifasmm]

Mr.Alan, sir,
You have answered nicely. Fine.
But I am still lacking in knowledge.
Could you please identify the use of 'opposite'
in all my examples as what? i.e.,
Whether it('opposite') is adjective or preposition or adverb?
Thanks.
Er.S.M.M.Hanifa

[Alan]

Hi,

I have made some comments in capital letters:

1. The bank is opposite the supermarket. (THAT'S FINE)
2. The bank is opposite -to- the supermarket. ('TO' NOT NEEDED)
3. The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended.(THE EFFECT OF THE MEDICINE WAS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WAS INTENDED)
4. The fact is almost opposite to what he has said.(THE FACT(S) IS (ARE) ALMOST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT HE HAS SAID
5. The word - "refined oil" is opposite to the word - "crude oil. (THE DESCRIPTION 'REFINED OIL' IS THE OPPOSITE OF 'CRUDE OIL')

Hope that helps.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms