oponerse
verbCEFR B2
What does “oponerse” mean in English?
1.to object, to oppose
to object, to oppose (oponerse a algo — say or show that one disagrees with or is against something)
2.to oppose, to object to
to oppose, to object to (oponerse a + noun / oponerse a que + subjunctive — expressing opposition)
Example sentences
Varios diputados se oponen a que la propuesta sea aprobada sin un período de consulta pública previo.
Several MPs oppose the proposal being approved without a prior public consultation period.
Me opongo firmemente a esta decisión por considerar que vulnera los derechos de los afectados.
I firmly oppose this decision as I consider it violates the rights of those affected.
No todos se oponen por las mismas razones: unos critican el fondo, otros la forma en que se ha gestionado el proceso.
Not everyone opposes it for the same reasons: some criticise the substance, others the way the process has been managed.
How to use it
Oponerse a means 'to oppose' or 'to object to'. It is reflexive and takes the preposition a: oponerse a algo/a que + subjunctive (different subjects). When opposing a stated proposition, the subjunctive is required after oponerse a que: 'Me opongo a que se apruebe sin debate'. This is a volition/attitude verb that governs subjunctive like impedir, preferir. Don't confuse oponerse a with oponer (non-reflexive: to put one thing against another — less common in debate).
Common mistake
Oponerse a que always triggers subjunctive because the speaker is expressing an attitude (opposition) towards a proposition. The error pattern is: *'Me opongo a que lo aprueban' (indicative) — wrong. Correct: 'Me opongo a que lo aprueben' (present subjunctive). Also: oponerse a + noun or infinitive (same subject) is fine without subjunctive: 'Me opongo a firmar sin leerlo antes.' Don't omit the reflexive pronoun — *'opongo a que' is ungrammatical.