Opposite to/of

[Ashraful Haque]

My last thread was about this very topic but I wasn't active for a week and when I came back I found that the thread was closed. One of the answers in my last thread was:
"opposite of" is used (but not in the context of position).

Black is the opposite of white.
Up is the opposite of down.
That's the exact opposite of what I thought you were going to say.

My question is, is it the same for 'opposite (to)?' Is it more natural to say "I parked the car across from the bank" than "I parked the car opposite the bank?"

 

[GoesStation]

My question is, is it the same for 'opposite to?'

I don't understand this question.

Is it more natural to say "I parked the car across from the bank" than "I parked the car opposite the bank?"

For me, yes. "Opposite the bank" is much more formal.

 

[jutfrank]

Is it more natural to say "I parked the car across from the bank" than "I parked the car opposite the bank?"

What do you mean exactly? Do you mean the bank is on a street and your car is parked on the other side of the street? If so, I think many British English people would naturally say I parked the car outside the bank. I think we don't use across from in this sense much in British English.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use "outside the bank" if it was parked on the same side of the street, right outside the building. I'd use "opposite the bank" if it was parked on the other side of the street but still directly opposite the building. For anywhere else in the same street, I wouldn't use either. I'd just say "I parked near the bank".

 

[Maybo]

Do I get them right?

I'd use "outside the bank" if it was parked on the same side of the street, right outside the building.

I'd use "opposite the bank" if it was parked on the other side of the street but still directly opposite the building.

For anywhere else in the same street, I wouldn't use either. I'd just say "I parked near the bank"

 

[GoesStation]

[STRIKE]Do[/STRIKE] Did I get [STRIKE]them[/STRIKE] these right?

Yes.