The words object and oppose have similar meaning, but they are used in different grammatical structures. Can you use them correctly?
Test your knowledge with this exercise.
1They ............... to the manager's decisions.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
'Objected' takes the preposition 'to' before an object. 'Oppose' does not take a preposition before an object.
2The family ............... her new fiance.
Wrong!
Approve takes the preposition 'of' before an object.
3We are ............... the idea.
Wrong!
Object takes the preposition 'to' before the object.
4In this state, parental ............... is necessary before a seventeen-year old can obtain a driver's license.
Wrong!
Approval is the noun form.
5I object ............... this.
Wrong!
Here the 'to' after 'object' is a preposition. When 'to' is used as a preposition, it is followed by an -ing form, not an infinitive.
6Mother ............... cigar smoking.
Wrong!
The verb 'object' needs the preposition 'to' before an object.
7The boy kept the dog despite his sister's ...............
Wrong!
8She is rude and ...............
Wrong!
Objectionable means intolerable.
9Several of the speakers ............... the project.
Wrong!
'Objected' takes the preposition 'to' before an object. 'Oppose' does not take a preposition before an object.
10Many people are ............... to the idea.
Wrong!
Oppose can have both passive and active uses. Object is not used like this.
11The senate ............... the new housing bill.
Wrong!
When approve means 'pass' it does not take a preposition before the object.
12The child did something his father did not ...............
Wrong!
'Approve of' means judge as good or think highly of.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- They objected/Either could be used here to the manager’s decisions.
- The family approves of her new fiance.
- We are objected to the idea.
- In this state, parental approval is necessary before a seventeen-year old can obtain a driver’s license.
- I object to doing this.
- Mother objects to cigar smoking.
- The boy kept the dog despite his sister’s objection
- She is rude and objectionable
- Several of the speakers opposed the project.
- Many people are opposed to the idea.
- The senate approved the new housing bill.
- The child did something his father did not approve of

