The use of "opposite"

Question

Hi everybody,I have a question about the following sentence which I read in a course book for English learners: "I don't know those children who live in the house OPPOSITE US".Two students in my classroom, who come from Canada and are almost native speakers of English, say that the sentence above isn't natural at all, i.e. they wouldn't use it, they would rather say "I don't know those children who live in the house OPPOSITE OF US".  I think this isn't the best way to say it. Maybe it would sound more natural if we said: "I don't know those children who live in the house OPPOSITE OURS". I would like to know your opinion.Thanks in advance,Annalisa.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I have a question about the following sentence which I read in a course book for English learners: "I don't know those children who live in the house OPPOSITE US". This is OK.

Two students in my classroom, who come from Canada

I live in Canada. Maybe I was their teacher?

and are almost native speakers of English, say that the sentence above isn't natural at all, i.e. they wouldn't use it, they would rather say "I don't know those children who live in the house OPPOSITE OF US". No, this is not correct. I think this isn't the best way to say it.

Maybe it would sound more natural if we said: "I don't know those children who live in the house OPPOSITE OURS". This is correct, and very carefully said. But the most natural thing to say is the sentence in your book.

I would like to know your opinion.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for your quick reply Clive!

The Canadian students I teach to are 13 (they are twins) and have been in Italy for three years now. They come from Toronto, do you live there too? Their parents are Italian, that's why they've moved here.

Bye for now,

Annalisa

The use of "opposite"

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